Evaluation of the Sysmex Xe-2100 hematology analyzer in hospital use.

The Sysmex XE-2100 (Sysmex Corp. Kobe, Japan) is a latest-generation hematology analyzer. Its optical and electrical measuring technology is improved by the addition of flux cytometry, fluorescence, and differential lysis. Its analytical performance in terms of precision, reproducibility, linearity, carryover, and time stability was found to be entirely satisfactory. In addition, the results of 500 complete blood counts and differentials correlated perfectly with those obtained by the Coulter STKS (Beckman Coulter, Villapointe, France). The comparison of 500 leukocyte differential count results analyzed in parallel with optical microscopy and the XE-2100 were surprising, and favorable to the XE-2100. This analyzer provides the user with an undeniable feeling of security concerning its reliability in detecting and identifying anomalies in the automated leukocyte differential count. With a sensitivity of 96%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98%, and a false-negative (FN) rate of 4%, the XE-2100 has perhaps reached the technological limits for a machine performing morphological recognition of normal and pathological blood cells. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.