Patent ID: 8143064

Claim:
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.