Quality control of flow cytometric immunophenotyping

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping has evolved from two-parameter quantitative measurement of peripheral blood lymphocytes to five-or more parameter qualitative evaluation of bone marrow and lymph node in hematopathology.Leukemia/lymphoma immunophenotyping represents an important addition to histomorphology in the diagnosis,classification and monitoring of hematolymphoid neoplasms.The complexity of five-or more parameter analyses and the interpretation of the data rely on standardization and validation of the instrument,the reagent and the procedure.In addition,clinical flow cytometry laboratories in U.S.A are required to document proficiency testing,sample preparation as well as accuracy,specificity,sensitivity and precision of methodology.CLSI and UCCC recommend that each laboratory should validate its own qualitative and quantitative procedures.This paper introduces the procedures for validation and quality control in a clinical flow cytometry laboratory in the United States. Key words: Flow cytometry; Immunophenotyping; Quality control