Red blood cell rheology during a complete blood count: A proof of concept

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 18; no. 1; p. e0280952
• Main Authors: Taraconat, Pierre, Gineys, Jean-Philippe, Isebe, Damien, Nicoud, Franck, Mendez, Simon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 27.01.2023; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Analysis; Analyzers; Anemia; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomechanics; Blood; Blood cells; Blood tests; Blood vessels; Cardiovascular diseases; Circulatory system; Computer and Information Sciences; Counting; Deformability; Deformation; Electric fields; Electric properties; Electrodes; Engineering Sciences; Erythrocyte Deformability; Erythrocytes; Fluid-structure interaction; Fluids mechanics; Formability; Hematology; Hemoglobin; Human health and pathology; Life Sciences; Mathematical models; Mechanical properties; Mechanics; Medical examination; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Numerical models; Orifices; Perturbation; Physical Sciences; Prevention; Research and Analysis Methods; Rheological properties; Rheology; Risk factors; Signatures; Simulation; Simulation methods; France; red blood cells; Coulter counter; hematology; rheology; complete blood count
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280952

Counting and sizing blood cells in hematological analyzers is achieved using the Coulter principle. The cells flow in a micro-aperture in which a strong electrical field is imposed, so that an electrical perturbation, called pulse, is measured each time a cell crosses the orifice. The pulses are expected to contain information on the shape and deformability of Red Blood Cells (RBCs), since recent studies state that RBCs rotate and deform in the micro-orifice. By implementing a dedicated numerical model, the present study sheds light on a variety of cells dynamics, which leads to different associated pulse signatures. Furthermore, simulations provide new insights on how RBCs shapes and mechanical properties affect the measured signals. Those numerical observations are confirmed by experimental assays. Finally, specific features are introduced for assessing the most relevant characteristics from the various pulse signatures and shown to highlight RBCs alterations induced by drugs. In summary, this study paves the way to a characterization of RBC rheology by routine hematological instruments.