Evaluation of precision and method comparison of the Mindray BC-5000 Vet hematology analyzer in the cynomolgus macaque

Abstract

The Mindray BC-5000 Vet is equipped with monkey-specific software; however, previous studies have not evaluated the precision of the analyzer nor its performance in method comparison studies in the cynomolgus macaque. We evaluated the performance of the BC-5000 Vet by assessing precision and comparing hematology measurement results obtained from the analyzer with those from manual methods using EDTA blood samples from 55 cynomolgus macaques. The analyzer had good to very good within-run and between-run precision across all RBC measurands and concentrations of WBCs, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Hematocrit (Hct) and concentrations of RBCs, WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were strongly correlated with the manual method (r >0.9). Hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and eosinophil concentrations were moderately well correlated (r = 0.6–0.7). Good agreement was found in the Bland–Altman analysis of Hct, and concentrations of RBCs, WBCs, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, with narrow limits of agreement. Monocyte concentrations were in moderate agreement given a small positive proportional bias; Hb, MCV, MCH, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, eosinophils, and basophils had wider limits of agreement and proportional bias, indicating underestimation by the analyzer. Bland–Altman findings were consistent with regression analyses. Based on combined precision and method comparisons, the BC-5000 Vet provides reliable performance for routine CBC analysis in healthy cynomolgus macaques.