ABSTRACT
Peripheral blood platelets of 25 normal subjects were examined by optic microscopy and flow cytometry. Blood was collected routinely into tubes for Cobas Micros flow scintillator with EDTA anticoagulant. Smears were made as a monolayer and stained by May-Grünwald's method in our modification. Morphologically, 5 classes of platelets were distinguished under optic microscope: young, mature, old, macroplatelets, and irritated forms. The percentage of each class was estimated (i.e., normal platelet formula was determined). Comparison of platelet parameters obtained on a flow cytometer and optic microscopy data for subjects with high percentage of large platelets showed increased mean volume of platelets (MPV) and width of platelet volume (PDW). The curve reflecting platelet distribution by volume in these donors was characterized by strong inclination to the right and a flat plateau.
Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/cytology , Adult , Cell Differentiation , Cell Size , Female , Flow Cytometry/instrumentation , Flow Cytometry/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet CountABSTRACT
The study was aimed at assessment of prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among donors. Blood sera were tested for anti-HCV, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin in two groups of donors. Group 1 were men belonging to organized collective bodies, mean age 20 years, permanent residents of Russia and CIS countries (n = 6157), group 2 were donors of both sexes, mean age 37, 70% men and 30% women, residents of Moscow (n = 1810). Incidence of anti-HCV in group 1 was 1.4%, in group 2 2.5%. ALT levels were elevated vs. the norm by 2.2% in group 2 but in only 4 of these subjects anti-HCV were detected. Bilirubin level was increased in 0.28% of group 1 subjects and in 2.8% of group 2 ones, none of these examinees having anti-HCV. The share of anti-HCV carriers increases with age. Screening for ALT and bilirubin cannot be a substitute for donor blood testing for anti-HCV.
