Letter in reply to the letter to the editor of Harte JV and Mykytiv V with the title “A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil population data”
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Remy J. H. Martens
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Math P. G. Leers
To the Editor,
We thank Harte and Mykytiv [1] for their interest in our study [2]. In a retrospective cohort of suspected COVID-19 patients, they provide further support for our finding that functional alterations indicative of activation of immunocompetent cells as well as depression of myeloid and lymphoid lineages can be observed in COVID-19 with routine haematology analysers. Such replication in a population of reasonable size is relevant in view of the rush of papers on COVID-19 and the risk of spurious results [3] associated with the earlier, often smaller studies on cell population data (CPD) in COVID-19.
In addition, Harte and Mykytiv, further discuss the role of activated monocytes and neutrophils in COVID-19. In this regard, Wilk et al. [4] identified a reconfiguration of the peripheral immune competent cells. Using a single cell RNA sequencing approach, they demonstrated a continuum of cellular phenotype between developing neutrophils and plasmablasts. This continuum was especially noticed in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This new information on phenotypical changes in COVID-19 patients must be kept in mind when interpreting the CPD data of the panhaemocytometric analysis, especially in the follow-up of patients.
Further, Chevrier et al. [5] showed in their recent study a stronger inflammatory phenotype of the neutrophils and monocytes throughout the disease course of patients experiencing severe COVID-19, and this was even more pronounced at later stages of the disease. The distinct temporal changes in immune signatures of these cell types are also reflected in morphological and structural changes that can easily be objectified by haemocytometric follow-up of these patients.
Notwithstanding the similarities between the results of our study and that of Harte and Mykytiv, Harte and Mykitiv observed a less pronounced difference in neutrophil counts between patients with and without COVID-19. This may be related to differences in the selection of patients (i.e. all patients tested for COVID-19 vs. patients with respiratory symptoms only).
Importantly, Harte and Mykytiv make a case for what they call a panhaemocytometric approach to monitoring of COVID-19. Indeed, recent literature supports considering the entire haematological system and the use CPD of data. For example, CPD data obtained with haemocytometers from Sysmex (Kobe, Japan) [6] and Beckman Coulter (Brea, USA) [7] were applied for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Similarly, a prognostic score that included neutrophil and lymphocyte counts as well as measures of granulocyte maturity, activation status of monocytes and lymphocytes, and erythropoiesis, could predict clinical severity in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 [8].
Future research may identify and validate additional applications of CPD parameters in COVID-19 (e.g., early detection of infectious and non-infectious complications) and other diseases as well. Nevertheless, we reiterate that studies on transferability and harmonisation are warranted to facilitate more widespread clinical use of innovative CPD parameters [9]. In this regard, the concepts behind the CPD parameters used in the aforementioned studies may be applied to analytical platforms of other manufacturers, which, indeed, already provide related parameters [8]. However, complex challenges related to differences in technologies and commercial interests will need to be overcome to make transferability and harmonisation efforts successful [9].
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Research funding: None declared.
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Author contributions: Both authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Competing interest: Remy Martens and Mathie Leers have nothing to disclose. Two permanent employees of Sysmex helped us with retrieving the raw measurement data from our haematology analysers and converted it into readable CSV-files for our recent study on haemocytometric characteristics in COVID-19 [2].
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Ethical approval: Not applicable.
References
1. Harte, JV, Mykytic, V. A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil data. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021;59:e169–172.10.1515/cclm-2021-0096Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
2. Martens, RJH, van Adrichem, AJ, Mattheij, NJA, Brouwer, CG, van Twist, DJL, Broerse, J, et al.. Hemocytometric characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without cytokine Storm syndrome on the Sysmex XN-10 hematology analyzer. Clin Chem Lab Med 2020;59:783–93.10.1515/cclm-2020-1529Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
3. Selvin, E, Juraschek, SP. Diabetes epidemiology in the COVID-19 pandemic. Diabetes Care 2020;43:1690–4. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc20-1295.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
4. Wilk, AJ, Rustagi, A, Zhao, NQ, Roque, J, Martinez-Colon, GJ, McKechnie, JL, et al.. A single-cell atlas of the peripheral immune response in patients with severe COVID-19. Nat Med 2020;26:1070–6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0944-y.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
5. Chevrier, S, Zurbuchen, Y, Cervia, C, Adamo, S, Raeber, ME, de Souza, N, et al.. A distinct innate immune signature marks progression from mild to severe COVID-19. Cell Rep Med 2021;2:100166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100166.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
6. Urrechaga, E, Aguirre, U, Espana, PP, Garcia de Guadiana, L. Complete blood counts and cell population data from Sysmex XN analyser in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clin Chem Lab Med 2020;59:e57–60. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2020-1416.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
7. Vasse, M, Ballester, MC, Ayaka, D, Sukhachev, D, Delcominette, F, Habarou, F, et al.. Interest of the cellular population data analysis as an aid in the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Int J Lab Hematol 2021;43:116–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijlh.13312.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
8. Linssen, J, Ermens, A, Berrevoets, M, Seghezzi, M, Previtali, G, van der Sar-van der Brugge, S, et al.. A novel haemocytometric COVID-19 prognostic score developed and validated in an observational multicentre European hospital-based study. Elife 2020;9. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.63195.Suche in Google Scholar
9. Buoro, S, Lippi, G. Harmonization of laboratory hematology: a long and winding journey. Clin Chem Lab Med 2018;56:1575–8. https://doi.org/10.1515/cclm-2018-0161.Suche in Google Scholar PubMed
© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Home pregnancy tests: quality first
- Review
- Non-invasive determination of uric acid in human saliva in the diagnosis of serious disorders
- Opinion Papers
- Basophil counting in hematology analyzers: time to discontinue?
- The role of laboratory hematology between technology and professionalism: the paradigm of basophil counting
- Recommendations for validation testing of home pregnancy tests (HPTs) in Europe
- General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- The use of preanalytical quality indicators: a Turkish preliminary survey study
- The Italian External Quality Assessment (EQA) program on urinary sediment by microscopy examination: a 20 years journey
- Non-HDL-C/TG ratio indicates significant underestimation of calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) better than TG level: a study on the reliability of mathematical formulas used for LDL-C estimation
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- Effect of collection matrix, platelet depletion, and storage conditions on plasma extracellular vesicles and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs measurements
- Pneumatic tube transportation of urine samples
- Evaluation of the first immunosuppressive drug assay available on a fully automated LC-MS/MS-based clinical analyzer suggests a new era in laboratory medicine
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- Reference Values and Biological Variations
- Reference intervals for venous blood gas measurement in adults
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Detection and functional characterization of a novel MEF2A variation responsible for familial dilated cardiomyopathy
- Diabetes
- Evaluation of the ARKRAY HA-8190V instrument for HbA1c
- Infectious Diseases
- An original multiplex method to assess five different SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
- Evaluation of dried blood spots as alternative sampling material for serological detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using established ELISAs
- Variability of cycle threshold values in an external quality assessment scheme for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome by RT-PCR
- The vasoactive peptide MR-pro-adrenomedullin in COVID-19 patients: an observational study
- Corrigenda
- Corrigendum to: Understanding and managing interferences in clinical laboratory assays: the role of laboratory professionals
- Corrigendum to: Age appropriate reference intervals for eight kidney function and injury markers in infants, children and adolescents
- Letters to the Editor
- A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil population data on Sysmex XN-series analysers
- Letter in reply to the letter to the editor of Harte JV and Mykytiv V with the title “A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil population data”
- SARS-CoV-2 serologic tests: do not forget the good laboratory practice
- Long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a cohort of 197 hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients
- Self-sampling at home using volumetric absorptive microsampling: coupling analytical evaluation to volunteers’ perception in the context of a large scale study
- Vortex mixing to alleviate pseudothrombocytopenia in a blood specimen with platelet satellitism and platelet clumps
- Comparative evaluation of the fully automated HemosIL® AcuStar ADAMTS13 activity assay vs. ELISA: possible interference by autoantibodies different from anti ADAMTS-13
- Significant interference on specific point-of-care glucose measurements due to high dose of intravenous vitamin C therapy in critically ill patients
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- Stability of control materials for α-thalassemia immunochromatographic strip test
- Reformulated Architect® cyclosporine CMIA assay: improved imprecision, worse comparability between methods
- Urine-to-plasma contamination mimicking acute kidney injury: small drops with major consequences
- Automated Mindray CL-1200i chemiluminescent assays of renin and aldosterone for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism
- Use of common reference intervals does not necessarily allow inter-method numerical result trending
- Reply to Dr Hawkins regarding comparability of results for monitoring
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Home pregnancy tests: quality first
- Review
- Non-invasive determination of uric acid in human saliva in the diagnosis of serious disorders
- Opinion Papers
- Basophil counting in hematology analyzers: time to discontinue?
- The role of laboratory hematology between technology and professionalism: the paradigm of basophil counting
- Recommendations for validation testing of home pregnancy tests (HPTs) in Europe
- General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- The use of preanalytical quality indicators: a Turkish preliminary survey study
- The Italian External Quality Assessment (EQA) program on urinary sediment by microscopy examination: a 20 years journey
- Non-HDL-C/TG ratio indicates significant underestimation of calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) better than TG level: a study on the reliability of mathematical formulas used for LDL-C estimation
- Evaluation of the protein gap for detection of abnormal serum gammaglobulin level: an imperfect predictor
- Impact of routine S100B protein assay on CT scan use in children with mild traumatic brain injury
- Using machine learning to develop an autoverification system in a clinical biochemistry laboratory
- Effect of collection matrix, platelet depletion, and storage conditions on plasma extracellular vesicles and extracellular vesicle-associated miRNAs measurements
- Pneumatic tube transportation of urine samples
- Evaluation of the first immunosuppressive drug assay available on a fully automated LC-MS/MS-based clinical analyzer suggests a new era in laboratory medicine
- A validated LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of the novel combination antibiotic, ceftolozane–tazobactam, in plasma (total and unbound), CSF, urine and renal replacement therapy effluent: application to pilot pharmacokinetic studies
- Immunosuppressant quantification in intravenous microdialysate – towards novel quasi-continuous therapeutic drug monitoring in transplanted patients
- Reference Values and Biological Variations
- Reference intervals for venous blood gas measurement in adults
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Detection and functional characterization of a novel MEF2A variation responsible for familial dilated cardiomyopathy
- Diabetes
- Evaluation of the ARKRAY HA-8190V instrument for HbA1c
- Infectious Diseases
- An original multiplex method to assess five different SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
- Evaluation of dried blood spots as alternative sampling material for serological detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies using established ELISAs
- Variability of cycle threshold values in an external quality assessment scheme for detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome by RT-PCR
- The vasoactive peptide MR-pro-adrenomedullin in COVID-19 patients: an observational study
- Corrigenda
- Corrigendum to: Understanding and managing interferences in clinical laboratory assays: the role of laboratory professionals
- Corrigendum to: Age appropriate reference intervals for eight kidney function and injury markers in infants, children and adolescents
- Letters to the Editor
- A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil population data on Sysmex XN-series analysers
- Letter in reply to the letter to the editor of Harte JV and Mykytiv V with the title “A panhaemocytometric approach to COVID-19: a retrospective study on the importance of monocyte and neutrophil population data”
- SARS-CoV-2 serologic tests: do not forget the good laboratory practice
- Long-term kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a cohort of 197 hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients
- Self-sampling at home using volumetric absorptive microsampling: coupling analytical evaluation to volunteers’ perception in the context of a large scale study
- Vortex mixing to alleviate pseudothrombocytopenia in a blood specimen with platelet satellitism and platelet clumps
- Comparative evaluation of the fully automated HemosIL® AcuStar ADAMTS13 activity assay vs. ELISA: possible interference by autoantibodies different from anti ADAMTS-13
- Significant interference on specific point-of-care glucose measurements due to high dose of intravenous vitamin C therapy in critically ill patients
- As time goes by, on that you can rely … preservation of urine samples for morphological analysis of erythrocytes and casts
- Stability of control materials for α-thalassemia immunochromatographic strip test
- Reformulated Architect® cyclosporine CMIA assay: improved imprecision, worse comparability between methods
- Urine-to-plasma contamination mimicking acute kidney injury: small drops with major consequences
- Automated Mindray CL-1200i chemiluminescent assays of renin and aldosterone for the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism
- Use of common reference intervals does not necessarily allow inter-method numerical result trending
- Reply to Dr Hawkins regarding comparability of results for monitoring
