Viability of autologous human leukocytes labeled by 99mTc-HMPAO
Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Radiolabeling and re-injection of autologous leukocytes is a nuclear medicine technique used in the scintigraphic detection of hidden infections. Since the labeled leukocytes have to be re-injected into the patient, strictly aseptic conditions are required for the labeling procedure. In the present paper the separation and labeling of mixed leukocytes with 99mTc-HMPAO were performed by using a closed, disposable kit, that, simplifying the preparation process, minimizes the possibility of accidental microbiological and radioactive contamination of the sample and operator. The recommended European procedure recommends that, if the labeling yield is <40%, further quality controls should be mandatorily performed, such as microscopic inspection and trypan blue exclusion test for cell viability. In a cohort of 280 patients the determination of leukocyte viability was performed for every examined patient, in order to ensure the best clinical significance of the scintigraphy and assure a stringent respect of Good Medical Practice. As the absolute values of leukocyte viability before the labeling demonstrated high patient variability, an accurate examination of collected clinical data was performed, in the attempt to explain this high dispersion of values. The non viable/viable leukocyte ratio BEFORE radioactive labeling was taken into consideration in the present work, and a possible relation with other patient parameters or clinical factors was studied. A direct correlation between leukocyte viability and infection severity was found, and a clinical explanation is briefly discussed.
Authors: Sedda, A.F., Rossi, G., Boemi, S.
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2511677411