Is automated urine sediment analyzer iQ200 a practical replacement ?

Abstract

Background : Short turn around time and precision are essential for microscopic examination of urine sediment which is a complicated and time-consuming procedures. We evaluate compatibility of analytical performance between an automated urine analyzer and routine traditional manual methods in order to verify the applicability of automated urine analyzer in our laboratory.

Method : Three hundred and forty-eight urine samples collected from pediatric renal clinic(two hundred samples) and routine check-up programs (one hundred and forty-eight samples) were evaluated by both iQ200, an automated urine analyzer, and routine manual methods. The results of which were reported in ranges and comparatively analyzed.

Result : Optimal agreement between both reports yielded เท almost all parameters including WBC (Kw = 0.86), RBC (Kw = 0.86), squamous epithelium (Kw = 0.82), broad granular cast (Kw = 0.90), calcium oxalate crystal (Kw = 0.81) and uric acid crystal (Kw = 0.83) while substantial agreement for bacteria detection was seen (Kw = 0.63) and only moderate agreement for bladder epithelium (Kw = 0.43) and budding yeast (Kw = 0.46).

Conclusion : Automated urine analyzer has overall excellent agreement with routine manual methods with exception in a few parameters. Crosschecking with urine chemistry analysis, selective reviews and reclassification by experienced technicians are strongly suggested. However, organized selection regarding when, where and by which means should be implicated since it is believed to be the most practical solution.