[Color dependent structural variations of the substantia granulofilamentosa in reticulocytes]

Standardized Azure B as a reticulocyte stain

Standardized (i.e. purified) Azure B (AB), now commercially available, is recommended as the standard dye for reticulocyte staining. AB is compared with the frequently used cationic dye Brilliant Cresyl Blue by visual observation and computer-guided image analysis. The staining performance of the two dyes is similar but, in the interests of laboratory economy, AB is preferable for practical use because, like Eosin Y, it is also present in the standard Romanowsky Giemsa stain.

Purified azure B as a reticulocyte stain

A comparison has been made between reticulocyte preparations stained with purified azure B and with several commerically available batches of brilliant cresyl blue and new methylene blue. Marked variations were observed in the composition and staining performances of the various batches of the two commerically available dyes. Although there were no significant differences in reticulocyte counts obtained with these two dyes, varying amounts of an extraneous, particulate dye deposit were present in these preparations, making accuracte counting both tedious and timeconsuming. Purified azure B, on the other hand, gave reproducibly stained, deposit-free preparations. Reticulocyte counts obtained from azure B preparations correlated almost exactly with those determined using new methylene blue. Purified azure B is therefore recommended as a convenient reticulocyte stain for routine use.