Article: Automated imaging of circulating fluorocytes for the diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria: A pilot study for population screening

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TitleAutomated imaging of circulating fluorocytes for the diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria: A pilot study for population screening
AuthorsLau, KC2
Lam, CW1 2
Issue Date2008
PublisherRoyal Society of Medicine Press Ltd. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.rsmpress.co.uk/jms.htm
CitationJournal Of Medical Screening, 2008, v. 15 n. 4, p. 199-203 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jms.2008.008038
AbstractObjectives: To improve the traditional fresh blood film method to a high-throughput analysis of the presence of circulating fluorescent red cells (fluorocytes) in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) using an automated imaging system. Methods: Based on the autofluorescence of protoporphyrin, we used an automatic image acquisition platform for examining fluorocytes in peripheral blood with minimal sample preparation. The image acquisition is easy-to-use under automated operations of excitation, focusing, detection and data analysis. Quality image and semi-quantitative fluorescence measurement of fluorocytes can be generated in a single step. For high-throughput analysis, the platform can image more than 200 96-well micro-plates, i.e. 19200 samples, in approximately 10 hours. Importantly, the reagent cost of analysis is negligible. Results: In this pilot study, three EPP patients were diagnosed and 4000 normal individuals were screened for EPP by this method. Our results showed that the method can distinguish the overt case and asymptomatic carriers. It gives reliable evidence for rapid EPP screening. Conclusion: This automated imaging system provides multiple advantages that improve the traditional fresh blood film method as a more effective diagnostic tool and facilitates population screening for EPP. As fluorocytes are present in the umbilical cord blood of EPP patients, this high-throughput method can be potentially used for newborn screening of EPP.
ISSN0969-1413
2011 Impact Factor: 1.691
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.165
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jms.2008.008038
ISI Accession Number IDWOS:000262857900005
ReferencesReferences in Scopus
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.authorLau, KC
dc.contributor.authorLam, CW
dc.date.accessioned2012-05-29T06:14:00Z
dc.date.available2012-05-29T06:14:00Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractObjectives: To improve the traditional fresh blood film method to a high-throughput analysis of the presence of circulating fluorescent red cells (fluorocytes) in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) using an automated imaging system. Methods: Based on the autofluorescence of protoporphyrin, we used an automatic image acquisition platform for examining fluorocytes in peripheral blood with minimal sample preparation. The image acquisition is easy-to-use under automated operations of excitation, focusing, detection and data analysis. Quality image and semi-quantitative fluorescence measurement of fluorocytes can be generated in a single step. For high-throughput analysis, the platform can image more than 200 96-well micro-plates, i.e. 19200 samples, in approximately 10 hours. Importantly, the reagent cost of analysis is negligible. Results: In this pilot study, three EPP patients were diagnosed and 4000 normal individuals were screened for EPP by this method. Our results showed that the method can distinguish the overt case and asymptomatic carriers. It gives reliable evidence for rapid EPP screening. Conclusion: This automated imaging system provides multiple advantages that improve the traditional fresh blood film method as a more effective diagnostic tool and facilitates population screening for EPP. As fluorocytes are present in the umbilical cord blood of EPP patients, this high-throughput method can be potentially used for newborn screening of EPP.
dc.description.natureLink_to_subscribed_fulltext
dc.identifier.citationJournal Of Medical Screening, 2008, v. 15 n. 4, p. 199-203 [How to Cite?]
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jms.2008.008038
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1258/jms.2008.008038
dc.identifier.epage203
dc.identifier.isiWOS:000262857900005
dc.identifier.issn0969-1413
2011 Impact Factor: 1.691
2011 SCImago Journal Rankings: 0.165
dc.identifier.issue4
dc.identifier.pmid19106260
dc.identifier.scopuseid_2-s2.0-62749192213
dc.identifier.spage199
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10722/148597
dc.identifier.volume15
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherRoyal Society of Medicine Press Ltd. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.rsmpress.co.uk/jms.htm
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Medical Screening
dc.relation.referencesReferences in Scopus
dc.subject.meshAutomation
dc.subject.meshErythrocytes - Pathology
dc.subject.meshFerrochelatase - Blood - Genetics
dc.subject.meshHong Kong
dc.subject.meshHumans
dc.subject.meshMass Screening - Methods
dc.subject.meshPilot Projects
dc.subject.meshProtoporphyria, Erythropoietic - Blood - Epidemiology - Pathology
dc.subject.meshProtoporphyrins - Blood - Genetics
dc.subject.meshReference Values
dc.titleAutomated imaging of circulating fluorocytes for the diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria: A pilot study for population screening
dc.typeArticle
Author Affiliations
  1. The University of Hong Kong
  2. Prince of Wales Hospital Hong Kong