International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering

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Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes

Received: 12 December 2013    Accepted:     Published: 10 January 2014
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Abstract

Blood for various laboratory analyses are commonly kept in ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). EDTA can however cause morphological and fragility changes in blood cells particularly erythrocytes (RBCs) if the storage is prolonged. This can affect erythrocytes viability and hence their analytical results. The timing between blood sampling and analysis is therefore very important in achieving reliable results. The objective of this study was to investigate the storage effects of EDTA on erythrocytes morphology and osmotic fragility over a period of 4 days. A total of twenty- four (24) consenting, apparently healthy blood donors who passed the pre-donation screening were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes and analysed for changes in erythrocyte morphology and osmotic fragility in 24 hour interval over the four day period. On Day 1(control), sample analysis were done within four hours after collection, they were then stored refrigerated (4 – 8oC) and re-analysed from Day 2 to Day 4. Morphological changes observed in erythrocytes over time include echinocytosis, spherocytosis, sphero-echinocytosis and increase in rouleaux formation. Mean percentage haemolysis of erythrocytes increased from Day 1 to Day 4 (p>0.05). Again, the osmotic fragility curves of the RBCs exhibited a rightward shift suggestive of decrease in RBC membrane stabilization. Analysis of blood samples for haematological parameters should therefore be carried out as soon as possible, preferably within 4 hours after their collection to ensure clinically reliable results.

DOI 10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11
Published in International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering (Volume 1, Issue 2, August 2013)
Page(s) 20-23
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

EDTA, Morphological Changes, Erythrocytes, Haemolysis

References
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[2] Gulati GL, Hyland LJ, Kocher W & Schwarting R (2002). Changes in automated complete blood count and differential leukocyte count results induced by storage of blood at room temperature. Arch Pathol Lab Med 126: 336-342.
[3] Goossens W (1994). Pre-analytical effects on automated differential blood cell. NouvRev Fr Haematol 36: 114-117.
[4] Lippi G, Bassi A, Giorgio B, Montagnana M, Salvagno GL & Guidi GC (2005). Preanalytical error tracking in a laboratory medicine department; Result of a 1-year experience. Clin Chem 52: 1442-1443.
[5] Hogman CF & Knutson I (1999). Storage of whole blood before separation: the effect of temperature on red cell 2, 3-DPG and the accumulation of lactate. Transfusion 39: 422-427.
[6] Chance JJ (2002). Blood Testing: Choosing the Right Specimen. LabNotes 11(1): 1-7.
[7] Kafka M & Yermiahu T (1998).The Effect of EDTA as an anticoagulant on the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes. Clin Lab Haematol 20(4): 213–216.
[8] Witeska M & Wargocka W (2011). Disodium EDTA as an anticoagulant causes hemolysis in common carp blood. Vet. Anim. Sci. J 35(2): 99-102.
[9] Perotta G, Roberts L, Glazier J & Schumacher HR (1998). Use of sodium citrate anticoagulant for routine haematology analysis on the CELL-DYN 4000: an opportunity to enhance efficiency in the clinical laboratory. Lab Haematol 4: 156-162.
[10] Gorrol AH & Mulley AG (2009). Primary Care Medicine: Office Evaluation and Management of the Adult Patient. 6th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia. pp. 629 – 630.
[11] Cora MC, King D, Betz LJ, Wilson R & Travlos GS (2012). Artifactual changes in Sprague-dawley rat hematologic parameters after storage of samples at 3 ̊C and 21 ̊ C. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 51(5): 611-621.
[12] Walencik J & Witeska M (2007). The effects of anticoagulants on hematological indices and blood cell morphology of common carp. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 146(3): 331 – 335.
[13] Bain BJ (2006). Blood Cells, a Practical Guide. 4th ed. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Australia. pp.78.
[14] Faulkner WR & King JW (1970). Manual of Clinical Laboratory Procedures. Chemical Rubber Company, Ohio. pp. 345.
[15] Rodak, L.C. (1995): Routing testing in haematology in: Dignostic haematology. Saunders pp. 563
Author Information
  • Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana

  • The Ghana Police Services Hospital, Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

  • Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana

  • Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana

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    Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Elizabeth Quao, Ransford Kyeremeh, Seidu Abdulai Mahmood. (2014). Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes. International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering, 1(2), 20-23. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11

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    ACS Style

    Samuel Antwi-Baffour; Elizabeth Quao; Ransford Kyeremeh; Seidu Abdulai Mahmood. Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes. Int. J. Biomed. Sci. Eng. 2014, 1(2), 20-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11

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    AMA Style

    Samuel Antwi-Baffour, Elizabeth Quao, Ransford Kyeremeh, Seidu Abdulai Mahmood. Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes. Int J Biomed Sci Eng. 2014;1(2):20-23. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11,
      author = {Samuel Antwi-Baffour and Elizabeth Quao and Ransford Kyeremeh and Seidu Abdulai Mahmood},
      title = {Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes},
      journal = {International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering},
      volume = {1},
      number = {2},
      pages = {20-23},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbse.20130102.11},
      abstract = {Blood for various laboratory analyses are commonly kept in ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). EDTA can however cause morphological and fragility changes in blood cells particularly erythrocytes (RBCs) if the storage is prolonged.  This can affect erythrocytes viability and hence their analytical results. The timing between blood sampling and analysis is therefore very important in achieving reliable results.  The objective of this study was to investigate the storage effects of EDTA on erythrocytes morphology and osmotic fragility over a period of 4 days. A total of twenty- four (24) consenting, apparently healthy blood donors who passed the pre-donation screening were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes and analysed for changes in erythrocyte morphology and osmotic fragility in 24 hour interval over the four day period. On Day 1(control), sample analysis were done within four hours after collection, they were then stored refrigerated (4 – 8oC) and re-analysed from Day 2 to Day 4. Morphological changes observed in erythrocytes over time include echinocytosis, spherocytosis, sphero-echinocytosis and increase in rouleaux formation. Mean percentage haemolysis of erythrocytes increased from Day 1 to Day 4 (p>0.05). Again, the osmotic fragility curves of the RBCs exhibited a rightward shift suggestive of decrease in RBC membrane stabilization. Analysis of blood samples for haematological parameters should therefore be carried out as soon as possible, preferably within 4 hours after their collection to ensure clinically reliable results.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Prolong Storage of Blood in EDTA Has an Effect on the Morphology and Osmotic Fragility of Erythrocytes
    AU  - Samuel Antwi-Baffour
    AU  - Elizabeth Quao
    AU  - Ransford Kyeremeh
    AU  - Seidu Abdulai Mahmood
    Y1  - 2014/01/10
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11
    T2  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Biomedical Science and Engineering
    SP  - 20
    EP  - 23
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-7235
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbse.20130102.11
    AB  - Blood for various laboratory analyses are commonly kept in ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA). EDTA can however cause morphological and fragility changes in blood cells particularly erythrocytes (RBCs) if the storage is prolonged.  This can affect erythrocytes viability and hence their analytical results. The timing between blood sampling and analysis is therefore very important in achieving reliable results.  The objective of this study was to investigate the storage effects of EDTA on erythrocytes morphology and osmotic fragility over a period of 4 days. A total of twenty- four (24) consenting, apparently healthy blood donors who passed the pre-donation screening were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes and analysed for changes in erythrocyte morphology and osmotic fragility in 24 hour interval over the four day period. On Day 1(control), sample analysis were done within four hours after collection, they were then stored refrigerated (4 – 8oC) and re-analysed from Day 2 to Day 4. Morphological changes observed in erythrocytes over time include echinocytosis, spherocytosis, sphero-echinocytosis and increase in rouleaux formation. Mean percentage haemolysis of erythrocytes increased from Day 1 to Day 4 (p>0.05). Again, the osmotic fragility curves of the RBCs exhibited a rightward shift suggestive of decrease in RBC membrane stabilization. Analysis of blood samples for haematological parameters should therefore be carried out as soon as possible, preferably within 4 hours after their collection to ensure clinically reliable results.
    VL  - 1
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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