[Evaluation of schistocytes measurement guidelines]. / Évaluation de recommandations concernant l'identification et la numération des schizocytes : une enquête du Groupe francophone d'hématologie cellulaire.

The schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells mainly observed in the setting of hemolytic anemias and particularly among the thrombotic microangiopathies. The presence of schistocytes is an important criterion for the diagnosis of mechanical anemias, though the identification of these cells remains problematic. As a high variability of the morphologic identification criteria of the schistocytes among morphologists has been observed, some guidelines have been proposed after workshops (French and Italian groups). The International council for standardization in hematology published a consensus in November, 2011. The French group of cellular hematology (GFHC) aimed to recover the opinion of French biologists directly confronted to schistocytes measurements. 169 out 500 (34%) answered 10 questions dealing with the identification and measurements of schistocytes as proposed by the ICSH guidelines. A consensus was reached for the urgent need of guidelines documents, moreover in the current background of the European accreditation NF EN ISO 15189 rules. A traduction in native (French) language as warmly wished in order to facilitate the diffusion of the information. New fragmented red cell parameter recently provided by 2 manufacturers of automated blood cell counters remained doubtfull for routine use for half of the biologists.