The Fundamentals to Minimize the Culture Failure in Hematological Malignancies

Cytogenetics plays a major role in Cancer studies, as some abnormalities aid in the correct categorizing of leukemia and lymphomas, and additionally provides important prognostic information. Though every laboratory follows SOP’s, there is always a chance of culture failure. We processed and analyzed 36 BMA (Bone marrow aspirate) and 31 PB samples (Peripheral blood) with referral reasons: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) n = 37, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) n = 7, Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) n = 5, Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) n = 3, Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) n = 1, Pancytopenia n = 2, Aplastic anemia n = 2, and others n = 10. The culture failure rate was 13.4%. Factors affecting the culture other than the technical errors are aged samples, low, high cell count and impoverished metaphases (less than 10 metaphases are not considered). Viability decreases based on the age of the sample. Successful karyotyping can be achieved, when the BMA or PB samples arrive and are cultured within 24 hours.