Advia 1200 chemistry analyzer

Hematology was evaluated for the following parameters: white blood cell count, differential leukocyte count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, platelet count, and platelet volume. The Advia^® 120 Hematology System was used for these evaluations. C-reactive protein levels were assessed using the Siemens Advia^® 1200 Chemistry Analyzer.
Qualitative bacteremia assay was performed by streaking 40–100 μL of whole blood onto blood agar plates using a sterile inoculating loop. Plates were incubated at 37 °C between 48 and 78 h. Samples that resulted in any colonies consistent with B. anthracis morphology (γ-hemolytic, white colonies, 4–10 mm in diameter with a rough appearance and irregular edges) following incubation on blood agar were documented as positive. Results were documented as negative when B. anthracis colonies were not present after incubation.

Blood samples were collected via the VAPs on study days −3, 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14. If a VAP failed, the animal was sedated with acepromazine, and blood was collected via the medial auricular artery or the marginal ear vein. Terminal samples were collected from animals that succumbed to disease if the blood had not clotted by the time of collection. Complete hematological analysis was performed using the Advia™ 120 Hematology Analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL, USA). Plasma was assayed via the Advia® 1200 chemistry analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics).