White cell count differential

Last updated: Friday, 04, June, 2010

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Item Process
Specimen

5 mL blood in EDTA; 2 mL blood in special paediatric EDTA tube.

Method

Microscopic examination of stained blood film recording identity of 100 leucocytes.

Some automated haematology analysers provide a full or limited differential.

Total leucocyte count used to convert % figures to absolute counts.

Reference Interval

Results expressed as absolute values x 109/L. See Table 4.

Application

To establish the numbers of individual leucocytes.

Interpretation

For the significance of abnormalities in individual leucocyte numbers see Neutrophilia,
Neutropenia,
Eosinophilia,
Basophilia,
Monocytosis,
Lymphocytosis,
Lymphocytopenia and
Pancytopenia in the Clinical problems listing.

Reference

Bain BJ. Blood Cells - A Practical Guide. 2nd ed. Blackwell Science 1995.