Demystifying the BD Facslyric Flow Cytometry System

By Joel Stephen Mukaya

This is a new machine that will assist hematologists to diagnose and manage patients with hematological disorders. The equipment is a new standard for cell analysis, that has transformed the operations and relevance of the hematology laboratory.

Flow Cytometry (FC) is a technique used to detect and measure the physical and chemical characteristics of a population of cells or particles. In this process, a sample containing cells or particles is suspended in a fluid and injected into the flow cytometer instrument. The sample is focused to ideally flow one cell at a time through a laser beam, where the light scattered is characteristic of the cells and their components. Cells are often labeled with fluorescent markers so that light is absorbed and then emitted in a band of wavelengths. Tens of thousands of cells can be quickly examined and the data gathered are processed by a computer.

Flow cytometry is routinely used in basic research, clinical practice, and clinical trials. Uses for flow cytometry include: Cell counting, cell sorting, determining cell characteristics and function, detecting microorganisms, biomarker detection, protein engineering detection, diagnosis of health disorders such as blood cancers, and measuring genome size.

A flow cytometry analyzer is an instrument that provides quantifiable data from a sample. Other instruments using flow cytometry include cell sorters which physically separate and thereby purify cells of interest based on their optical properties. The machine will come in handy to fulfill the requirements of high speed, broad applicability at diagnosis and follow-up, and accurate focus on the malignant cell population using membrane-bound and intracellular proteins as targets. Some of the conditions that will be easy to diagnose and manage includes; Acute myeloid leukemia/ myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/ MDS), Chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (B-CLPD), Chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (T-CLPD), Chronic lymphoproliferative disorders (NK-CLPD), Plasma cell disorders (PCD), myeloproliferative disorder (MPD), paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), blast crisis (BC), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and hairy cell leukemia (HCL).

The following panels will be available to facilitate diagnosis; A LOT (Acute Leukemia Orientation Tube), LST (Lymphoid screening tube), PCST (Plasma Cell Screening Tube), SST (Small Sample Tube), BCP-ALL (B-cell precursor), T-ALL (T- cell precursor) Sebia Hydrasys 2 Scan Focusing.

Protein electrophoresis is a test that measures specific proteins in the blood. The test separates proteins in the blood based on their electrical charge. The protein electrophoresis test is often used to find abnormal substances called M proteins. The presence of M proteins can be a sign of a type of cancer called myeloma, or multiple myeloma. Myeloma affects white blood cells called plasma cells in the bone marrow. Protein electrophoresis also tests for other proteins and antibodies (immunoglobulins).

The protein electrophoresis test is also used to diagnose other conditions affecting the plasma cells. These include Waldenström macroglobulinemia, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and primary amyloidosis.

Protein electrophoresis can also be used to help diagnose; thyroid problems, diabetes, anemia, liver diseases, poor nutrition or inability to absorb nutrients, and certain autoimmune diseases.

Sebia’s semi-automated agarose gel electrophoresis systems are designed to automate the many tedious steps involved in traditional electrophoresis and immunofixation testing. The HYDRASYS are compact systems that carry out all phases of electrophoresis — from sample application to migration, to incubation, to staining, destaining, and drying. The walkaway nature of the agarose gel electrophoresis systems provides substantial labor and cost savings to clinical laboratories.

The semi-automated electrophoresis systems are designed for efficiency — two different types of gels can be processed simultaneously. Gel processing is performed on the compact electrophoresis systems with a throughput of 162 proteins, 45 hemoglobins, or 18 immunofixations in just one hour. Various gel configurations are available to accommodate a wide range of sample volumes; the HYDRASYS and HYDRASYS 2 agarose gel electrophoresis systems adapt to any size and type of workload. Utilizing patented methodologies for sample and antisera application, assay resolution and sensitivity is greatly enhanced. With the FOCUSING option, the agarose gel electrophoresis systems are also equipped with a high-voltage module allowing for isoelectric focusing (IEF) testing to be performed.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory method that uses antibodies to check for certain antigens (markers) in a sample of tissue. The antibodies are usually linked to an enzyme or a fluorescent dye. After the antibodies bind to the antigen in the tissue sample, the enzyme or dye is activated, and the antigen can then be seen under a microscope. Immunohistochemistry is used to help diagnose diseases, such as cancer. It may also be used to help tell the difference between different types of cancer.

The acquisition of the IHC Ventana machine is a great step for Knh as we endeavor to offer specialized treatment to our clients. The machine comes with the following advantages; Workflow efficiency through remote connectivity, fewer instrument touchpoints, software interface usability, on-instrument run management capabilities, electronic inventory management, quality assurance, useful reporting metrics, over 200 assays in key disease areas, including high medical value assays.

KNH –Histology Laboratory has prioritized the following assays to commence testing in the current financial year (2022-2023); estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Ki 67, HER 2, CD3, CD 20, CD 45, BCL2, CKAE, P63, CD30, Desmin, CD117, CK7, and CK20. The test menu will be expanded on a need basis as the machine can handle up to 200 assays.

IHC Ventana machine

BD Facslyric Flow Cytometry System