© F e r r a t a S t o r t i F o u n d a t i o nIn this regard, we investigated the molecular genetic defects of natural anticoagulant deficiencies (PC, PS, and AT) in a large number of consecutive VTE patients and in the general population in Korea screened by coagulation tests. The results revealed unique frequencies and mutation spectrums of natural anticoagulant deficiencies in the group of VTE patients and in the general population. These frequencies and the mutation spectrums in Korea were not only distinct from those in Caucasian populations but also from those in other Asian countries. Methods Patients and populationThe group of patients consisted of consecutive VTE patients screened for thrombophilia including PC, PS, and AT deficiencies at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, from January 2005 to December 2012. For the population group, at least 3,000 individuals visiting the institution for routine check-ups were screened from September 2005 to January 2006 using the same coagulation tests for natural anticoagulant deficiency as those used in the patients. In each group, those suspected of having a natural anticoagulant deficiency underwent molecular genetic tests to confirm the deficiency. In both groups, we excluded those with low levels of multiple (2 or more) natural anticoagulants, especially in association with underlying liver disease or other extrinsic factors. Written informed consent was obtained from the patients in the study, which was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. Coagulation testsThe thrombophilia profile tests for VTE patients included screening for genetic thrombophilia: PC activity (Stachrom ® Protein C, Diagnostica Stago, Asnieres-Sur-Seine, France), PS free antigen (Liatest ® Free Protein S, Diagnostica Stago), and AT activity (Stachrom ® ATIII, Diagnostica Stago). All coagulation tests were performed on the STA ® coagulation analyzer (Diagnostica Stago). The local reference intervals were determined according to the guidelines from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (http://www.clsi.org/) as the 2.5-97.5 percentiles (PC activity, PS free antigen,.2% for males and 56.0-132.6% for females; and AT activity, 81.5-119.3%). 10 Tests for PC antigen, PS total antigen and activity, and AT antigen were additionally performed when indicated. Natural anticoagulant deficiency was suspected in VTE patients when the result was below the lower limit of the reference interval (2.5 percentile). Screening for natural anticoagulant deficiency in the population group was performed using the same coagulation tests as those used in the VTE patients. Individuals with levels of PC, PS, or AT below the 1 st percentile were selected for molecular genetic tests. Molecular genetic analysesGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes using the Wizard Genomic DNA Purification kit following the standard protocols (Promega, Madison, WI, USA). Molecular genetic diagnosis of natural anticoagulant deficiency was performed by...

Introduction Accurate platelet counting is essential for risk assessment of bleeding and thrombosis. Abbott Alinity hq hematology analyzer was recently introduced, and its performance in platelet counting has yet to be evaluated comprehensively. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the optical platelet counting of Abbott Alinity hq (Alinity‐PLT) and the impedance and fluorescent platelet counting of Sysmex XN‐9000 (XN‐PLT‐I and XN‐PLT‐F) compared with the international reference method. Methods Blood samples were analyzed via Alinity hq and XN‐9000 with PLT‐F channel. Immuno‐platelet (ImmnoPLT) reference method was performed with CD41/CD61 antibodies using FACSLyricTM flow cytometer (BD). Precision was determined using 10 replicates in a single run, and the platelet counts of Alinity‐PLT, XN‐PLT‐I, XN‐PLT‐F, and ImmnoPLT were compared. Results At a platelet count of 13 × 109/L, the CVs of Alinity‐PLT, XN‐PLT‐I, and XN‐PLT‐F were 4.2%, 6.7%, and 4.3%, respectively, and at a platelet count of 44 × 109/L, all showed a CV of less than 3%. For the total 210 samples, all three methods showed a very strong correlation with ImmunoPLT (r > 0.99). For platelet levels below 20 × 109/L, XN‐PLT‐F showed the strongest correlation with ImmunoPLT (r = 0.975), and for platelet levels of 20‐100 × 109/L, Alinity‐PLT and XN‐PLT‐I were comparable to ImmunoPLT. For platelet levels of 100‐450 × 109/L, XN‐PLT‐I was the most comparable to ImmunoPLT, and for platelet levels above 450 × 109/L, Alinity‐PLT was comparable to ImmunoPLT. Conclusions All three methods were highly correlated with ImmunoPLT, and each method had different performance advantages according to the platelet levels.

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