*Corresponding author email: gawaribacchi@gmail.com Symbiosis Group Symbiosis www.symbiosisonline.org www.symbiosisonlinepublishing.com Analytical Comparison between Microhematocrit and Automated Methods for Packed Cell Volume (PCV) Determination Audu I. Stephen 1* , Simon T. Ubwa 1 , Ogbene G. Igbum 1 , Stephen S. Hati 2 , NwannadiI.Alex 3 1 Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria 2 RR&P, Nisa Premier Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria 3 Department of Haematology, Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria International Journal of Hematology and Blood Disorders Open Access Case Report Introduction The packed cell volume (PCV) test are normally done to diagnose or evaluate anaemia (decrease of red blood cells), polycythaemia (increased in red blood cells). Conditions that can lead to low PCV include, bleeding, kidney disease (a healthy kidney secretes a hormone erythropoietin which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow) and heamolysis (where the red blood cells are being destroyed prematurely either due to attack by the body immune system or organ damage) [1]. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood that is comprised of red blood cell. This is often referred to as packed cell volume (PCV) or erythrocyte volume fraction. It is considered as an integral part of a person’s complete blood count, along with hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count and platelet counts [2,3]. The measurement of the packed cell volume (PCV) is useful in any hematologic workup and is a main tool in the quality control programs in the haematology laboratory [4]. Incorrectly reported microhematocrit result may bias clinical decision in follow up of patients, blood transfusion decision, and in diagnosis of hematologic diseases such as severe anemia. In spite of its significance it has received far less consideration in research from the standpoint of its reliability than have the measurements of hemoglobin or red cell counts [3,4]. In Nigeria, hematocrit is a common complete blood count parameter routinely used by clinicians. In most rural part of the country where the automated analysers are not available, the microhematocrit method is used to determine PCV in clients. Haematology autoanalyzers provide quick and accurate results in most situations. However, auto analyzers are prone to errors as platelet aggregates or hypolobulated neutrophil may give rise to false high PCV [5,6]. Materials and Methods Study Setting and Design TThe study was carried out at the haematology laboratory of the Benue State University Teaching hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria. Abstract Analytical methods comparison for the determination of packed cell volume(PCV) are essential in clinical laboratory practice as it improves the quality of health care through accurate and reliable clinical decision making from diagnostic results of suitable alternatives. Comparison is necessary because each method is expected to serve as a quality control measure for the other. This study was done to assess the analytical performance between the Microhematocrit and automated methods for PCV determination. In this study carried out at the heamatology laboratory of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria, the Microhematocrit method determined by using the HC 702, (ApelCo. Ltd, Korea) was compared with the Automated hematology Analyzer method (KX-21N sysmex, USA) using paired data of blood samples analyzed respectively from 206 patients in the hospital. Data analysis was performed using Analyse-it ® Version 4.6 method validation software. The results showed that similar overall mean values of PCV were obtained by both microhematocrit (34.5±7.3%) and automated (34.3±6.8%) methods. Result of t-test analysis was not statistically significant (p= 0.135) between the overall measurements by both methods. Pearson’s analysis revealed a high correlation value (r = 0.917) between microhematocrit and Automated measurements of PCV. Passing-Bablok fit of the regression line provided the equation: Automated = 1.373 + 0.9692 microhematocrit; and slope value (0.969, 95% CI: 0.9400 to 1.008) supports the high correlation coefficient. The Bland-Altman plot of mean difference expresses high level of agreement between the microhematocrit and Automated measurements. The average error in evaluating PCV with microhematocrit compared with evaluation with Automated (calculated by Automated - microhematocrit) ranged between 16.2% and 59.3% (95% CI = 0.9400% to 1.008%). It can be concluded that despite the sophistication of present day auto analyzers, there is need to depend on manual techniques for primary calibration, and the study confirm that the microhematocrit readings are as reliable as the automated haematology analyzer. Keywords: Microhematocrit; Packed cell Volume; Automated method; Anaemia Received: 6 th June, 2017; Accepted: 26 th June, 2017; Published: 10 th July, 2017 *Corresponding author: Audu I. Stephen, Department of Chemistry, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.E-mail: rexaudu@gmail.com rexaudu@gmail.com