Image analysis for the detection of increased erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood of patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Increased erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet adhesiveness and aggregation may contribute to the development of ischemic vascular conditions in diabetic patients. They have been described by using different diagnostic systems and following various ex vivo manipulations. We have adopted a simple slide test and image analysis to reveal the adhesiveness and aggregation of the three cellular elements in a picture that is obtained from one single citrated venous blood sample presented on a glass slide. A significant increment in the degree of adhesiveness/aggregation of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets was noted in 29 patients with diabetes mellitus as opposed to age- and gender-matched healthy controls. It is feasible to look at the increased state of adhesiveness/aggregation of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets present in their native milieu and following minimal manipulation by using an almost real time and low cost procedure.