Introduction

• What is considered INTEGRAL to body fluid analysis?

  cell counts
• Cell counts provide information about the presence and absence of certain conditions, such as INFECTIONS, and even the VIABILITY of SAMPLES.
• The use of cell count is PRIMARILY APPLIED on what bodily fluids?

  Cerebrospinal fluid, seminal fluid, and synovial fluid
• In CSF and synovial testing, CSF is checked for the number of what to rule out what?

  WBCs, infections
• For seminal fluid analysis, what is counted to test for what?

  number of normal spermatozoa, infertility
• Cell counts are usually performed MANUALLY using the HEMOTOCYTOMETER with the IMPROVED NEUBAUER counting chamber.
• Like any cell counting procedures, body fluid cell counts should be performed IMMEDIATELY after specimen collection because GRANULOCYTES and even RBCs begin to LYSE within 1 HOUR, and 40% of WBCs DISINTEGRATE after 2 HOURS.