Automated Cell Analysis in Biological Fluids
Summary
Automated cell analysis in biological fluids encompasses technologies for rapid quantification and characterisation of cells in specimens such as cerebrospinal, pleural, peritoneal and synovial fluids. Traditional methods rely on manual microscopy with haemocytometer chambers and are hindered by operator variability and lengthy turnaround times, especially at low cell concentrations. Modern analysers integrate optical detection, flow cytometry and digital imaging to perform total and differential cell counts, distinguishing leukocyte subsets and red blood cells by size, granularity and fluorescence. Advanced platforms incorporate machine-learning algorithms for morphological classification, enabling initial screening for abnormal or malignant cells. These innovations improve laboratory efficiency, standardise results, lower detection thresholds and support timely clinical decision-making in neurology, oncology and infectious disease. Ongoing developments aim to expand differential panels, enhance sensitivity for rare cells and miniaturise systems for point-of-care applications.
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Automated Cell Analysis in Biological Fluids publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in automated cell analysis in biological fluids across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Haemocytometer: A precision-gridded chamber for manual counting of cells under a microscope.
Flow cytometry: A method that measures optical and fluorescence properties of cells as they pass through a laser beam in a fluid stream.
Differential cell count: Enumeration of distinct cell types (e.g. neutrophils, lymphocytes) within a fluid specimen.
Microfluidic chamber: A miniaturised device combining fluid handling and optical detection for on-chip cell staining and counting.
Coefficient of variation (CV): A statistical measure of relative variability, calculated as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, expressed as a percentage.
References
- Evaluation of the Microscanner C3 for Automated Cell Counting in Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis. Diagnostics (2024).
- Automated cell count in body fluids: a review. Advances in Laboratory Medicine / Avances en Medicina de Laboratorio (2021).
- Performance evaluation of the automated body fluid analysis of the new Sysmex XR haematology analyser. Journal of Laboratory Medicine (2023).
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