NTU Undergraduates' research April 2014 - Biosciences | Page 40

Validation of the UF-1000i Urine Flow Cytometer by Comparison
with the UF-100i and Calculation of Bacteria and Leucocyte Cut Off
Values
Joseph Spooner*
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infections, causing urine samples to be the most
common specimens in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Due to this volume many laboratories utilise a screening
technique to minimise unnecessary culture with the benefit of increased turnaround times and cost reduction for
negative samples. This study was conducted in order to validate the UF1000i for routine use in the clinical
microbiology laboratory for screening of urine specimens and to replace the currently used UF100i. In order to
implement this analyser cut off parameters for bacteria and leucocytes were calculated via sampling and culturing
1000 specimens. While the leucocyte parameter was similar to the machine’s predecessor at >45/µL and the bacterial
cut-off proved to be significantly reduced at >1000/µL due to the use of more advanced technology in the newer
model. At these parameters the UF1000i showed to be more sensitive but less specific than the previously used
UF100i. As for usability the UF100i was favoured due to ease of use and being of a less temperamental nature in
comparison to the UF1000i.