A feasibility study on the effects of Triton X-100 for the in vitro inactivation of Ebola virus on haematological assays.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to check the effect of Triton X-100 on various, commonly used haematology test parameters. METHODS: Anonymised blood samples were treated with 10 µL of 10% Triton X-100 per 1 mL of blood. Treated and untreated samples were tested in parallel for blood film morphology, complete blood counts (CBCs), flow cytometry, blood grouping and antibody screens. Samples were also taken in 3.2% citrate tubes for coagulation test analyses. RESULTS: Statistical differences were noted in all CBC parameters apart from the mean cell volume, eosinophil and basophil counts. Platelet counts were significantly different with an apparent rise after the addition of Triton X-100. Samples were noted to have a high red cell fragmentation index. Immunological platelet counting methods using flow cytometry and fluorescent methods showed no significant differences and gave reliable results. Neither flow cytometry for T-cell subsets nor blood grouping/antibody screens were affected by Triton X-100. However, coagulation samples were severely haemolysed prohibiting analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that the addition of Triton X-100 to haematology blood samples impacts mainly on platelet counts and coagulation studies due to haemolysis. The platelet count is spuriously raised probably due to the presence of red cell fragments. The latter can be circumvented by the use of immunological platelet counting technology.

Comparison of approaches and measurement of continuing professional development for specialists in laboratory medicine within four European countries.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated approaches to continuing professional development (CPD) for specialists in laboratory medicine within four European countries: Croatia, the Czech Republic, Malta and the UK. METHODS: The research questions focussed on ascertaining if continued registration/licence was linked to CPD and if so, were there requirements for certain amounts and types of CPD and for CPD activities to meet specified accreditation criteria. The Professional Associations Research Network (PARN) model of CPD measurement was applied to each country's registration/licencing body's CPD requirements. RESULTS: Our results indicate a spectrum of approaches to CPD within participating countries. CONCLUSIONS: It will be necessary for European employers to be familiar with these differences and to take them into account for this increasingly mobile European workforce.