Method for classifying leukocytes and a reagent used therefor

摘要

Reagents for enabling leukocytes to be classified and counted lyse erythrocytes and act on leukocytes to stabilize them are disclosed. The reagents contain polyoxyethylene-based surfactants, and may contain hyperosmotic or hypoosmotic agents and solubilizing agents. One embodiment of the invention contains surfactants selected from the anionic and nonionic polyoxyethylene-based surfactants having 18-30 repeating oxyethylene units per molecule. A second embodiment of the invention contains nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactants only, having 20-100 repeating oxyethylene units per molecule, does not employ either saponin or quaternary ammonium compounds, and provides for adjustment of the pH of the resulting solutions. The invention allows leukocytes to be classified into as many as five types, each type to be quantified, and enables the detection of abnormal cells, when used in conjunction with particulate analysis flow cytometers employing the RF method and the DC method.