okomo assoumou, marie claire university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , nguefack, georges university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , jacobs, graeme brendon stellenbosch university - faculty of medicine and health sciences - department of pathology, division of medical virology, South Africa , guidem, elise university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , doh, gilbert university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , mesembe, martha tongo university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , lyonga, emilia university of yaounde i - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon , ikomey, george mondinde university of yaoundé 1 - faculty of medicine and biomedical sciences - department of microbiology/immunology, Cameroon

Effects of Storage: Whole Blood Specimens for CD4-T Lymphocytes Determination in Yaoundé, Cameroon

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Stored blood specimens collected in Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) anti-coagulant tubes for CD4 T-Cell determinations are inevitable practices in Cameroon and many other countries worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of results obtained from blood samples stored at room temperature (25° C) and 4° C within six days post collection. Methods. Whole blood samples collected in EDTA collection tubes were analyzed for CD4 absolute counts using the FACS Count Machine (Becton Dickinson, France). We Used the FACS Count reagent kit (CD4, CD8 and CD3 combine). Samples were strictly analyzed using the procedural manual of the kit .Freshly collected blood samples in day one served as control. Results. There was a significant correlation with results obtained at day 2 and 3 (47 and 72 hours).Day 4, 5, 6 (72, 96 and 120 hours) did not show any correlation with day one. Blood samples stored at -4°C degrees did not correlate with any other day. Conclusion. Reproducibility of CD4 cell count could only be evaluated up to 72 hours, whereas blood samples stored in the fridge at -4°C were not reproducible after day one. Our findings can serve as a guide to clinical laboratories and health care providers handling samples in rural and urban settings.

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CD4 , T Lymphocytes , Whole blood , Cameroon

Health Sciences an‎d Diseases

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