Pre-analytical Factors Affecting Cytogenetic Cell Culture Yield in Haematological Malignancies

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between different factors and the yield of cytogenetic culture in-terms of failure in samples drawn from patients suffering from haematological diseases.

Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of Haematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from Dec 2021 to Sep 2022. Two hundred and twenty six peripheral blood and bone aspirate samples received for cytogenetic culture. Samples from patients aged between 5 and 70 years, of both genders, suffering from a primary haematological disease were included.  

Results:  The sample had a median age of 34.5 (7 - 64) years, of whom 123 (54.4%) were male. Samples with culture failure had significantly lower volumes of receipt with a mean value of 2.10 ± 0.98 mL versus 3.52 ± 0.99 mL in cultures that were successful, (p<0.001). Samples that were partially clotted also had a higher incidence of cell culture failure, (p<0.001), with only 8.8% of samples showing clotting in those that were successful versus 26.9% that had cell culture failure. Additionally, cell culture had a higher chance of yielding a successful result if it was received for processing within twenty-four hours of withdrawal, with the success rate decreasing with the passage of time especially past the seventy-two-hour window, (p<0.001). 

Conclusion: Delayed sample dispatch, clotted samples and inadequate volume are important factors associated with the failure of cell culture for cytogenetics