Help to identify chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphoma on a simple blood sample analysis

What is it about?

Hyperlymphocytosis is a common abnormality in biological chemistry. Hyperlymphocytosis can be due to a viral or fungic infection, and are transient, but can be related to malignant blood disease such as B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoma. Smear review by a cytologist is time consuming and informative only when lymphocytes are activated (in favor of viral disease) or have nuclear abnormalities, as seen in some cases of lymphoma. We have observed that using DxH 800, a blood analysser from Beckman-Coulter company, the variations of some parameters used for the identification of leukocytes, are modified in case of reactive or malignant lymphocytosis. We can create an alarm in the software suggesting the presence of a malignant lymphocytosis.

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Why is it important?

Using this parameters, we can detect monoclonal lymphocytosis, even if lymphocyte count is normal. It is important because WHO as identified a new group of disease, called monoclonal B-lymphocytosis, which can either be the firt step toward a B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia or lymphoma, or be a marker of a solid tumor. Therefore, the early diagnosis of a monoclonal B-lyphocytosis is important for the prevention or early diagnosis of solid tumors or hemopathies. In addition, these parameters are free because used in the algorithm of the DxH 800 analysers..

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