Reagents and methods for classifying leukocytes

1. A reagent for classification of leukocytes, the reagent comprising:

(a) at least two cationic surfactants capable of lysing erythrocytes and partly damaging the cell membrane of leukocytes;

(b) at least one organic compound bearing a hydrophobic group and an anionic group capable of binding with a cationic component present in the leukocytes to give morphological differences among the leukocytes; and

(c) a buffer for adjusting pH into a range of between approximately 2-8,

wherein the at least two cationic surfactants are each independently quaternary ammonium salt-type cationic surfactants having a structure represented by the following formula

wherein R1 is a C 6 -C 16 -alkyl or -alkenyl group, R2 and R3 each independently are C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or -alkenyl group, R4 is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or -alkenyl group or a benzyl group, and X is a halogen; and

wherein the reagent is configured to classify leukocytes into five groups corresponding to lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

2. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic group on the organic compound is selected from: an aromatic group, a hydrocarbon group having six or more carbon atoms or a heterocyclic ring having more than 6 carbon atoms; and the anionic group on the organic compound is a carboxyl group or a sulfonate group.

3. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 1 , wherein the organic compound is an acidic pigment.

4. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 1 , wherein the reagent comprises an alcohol in an amount of between approximately 0.1-10% by volume of the reagent.

5. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 4 , wherein the alcohol is chosen from at least one of: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol or 2-phenoxyethanol.

6. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 1 , wherein R1 is a C 6 -C 16 -alkyl group, R2 and R3 each independently is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl group, R4 is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or a benzyl group; and X is a halogen.

7. The reagent for classification of leukocytes according to claim 6 , wherein the cationic surfactants are selected from at least one of the following: octyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, octyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, decyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, laureltrimethyl ammonium chloride, and lauryldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.

8. A method for classifying leukocytes, comprising:

obtaining a reagent comprising:

(a) at least two cationic surfactants capable of lysing erythrocytes and partly damaging the cell membrane of leukocytes;

(b) at least one organic compound bearing a hydrophobic group and an anionic group capable of binding with a cationic component present in the leukocytes to give morphological differences among the leukocytes; and

(c) a buffer for adjusting pH into a range of approximately 2-8;

mixing the reagent with a blood sample;

measuring cell size information and information on morphological features of the leukocytes, and

classifying the leukocytes into five groups corresponding to lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein mixing the reagent with the blood sample comprises:

mixing the reagent and the blood sample at a ratio of approximately 10:1-100:1 for between approximately 12-30 seconds at a temperature of between approximately 10-40° C.

10. The method according to claim 9 , wherein measuring the cell size information comprises measuring cell size information with a low angle scattered light of approximately between 1°-5°; and wherein measuring the information on morphological features comprises measuring information on morphological features with a high angle scattered light of approximately between 6°-20°.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein obtaining a reagent comprises obtaining a reagent that includes cationic surfactants which are quaternary ammonium salt-type cationic surfactants.

12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the cationic surfactants are quaternary ammonium salt-type cationic surfactants having a structure represented by the following formula:

wherein R1 is a C 6 -C 16 -alkyl or -alkenyl group, R2 and R3 each independently are a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or -alkenyl group, R4 is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or -alkenyl group or a benzyl group; and X is a halogen.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein R1 is a C 6 -C 16 -alkyl group, R2 and R3 each independently is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl group, R4 is a C 1 -C 4 -alkyl or a benzyl group; and X is a halogen.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the cationic surfactants are selected from at least one of the following: octyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, octyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, decyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, laureltrimethyl ammonium chloride, and lauryldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.

15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the hydrophobic group on the organic compound is selected from: an aromatic group, a hydrocarbon group having six or more carbon atoms or a heterocyclic ring having more than 6 carbon atoms; and the anionic group on the organic compound is a carboxyl group or a sulfonate group.

16. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the organic compound is an acidic pigment.

17. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the reagent comprises an alcohol in an amount of approximately between 0.1-10% by volume of the reagent.

18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the alcohol is chosen from at least one of: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-butanol or 2-phenoxyethanol.