Method and reagents for quantitative determination of reticulocytes and platelets in whole blood

摘要

Methods and compositions for quantitating reticulocytes and platelets by fluorescence in a flow cytometer. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of the dye acridine orange, citrate ion, and para-formaldehyde at a pH of about 7.4 and an isotonic osmolality. The concentrations of the various ingredients are selected to maximized dye uptake by the reticulocytes and platelets to allow for the first time the fluorescent quantitation of these cells in whole blood using a flow cytometer.