Red Blood Cell Count: Brief History and New Method.

Introduction: Red blood cells (RBCs) were observed under microscope by Jan Swammerdam in 1658. The RBC count was done in 1852 by Professor Karl Vierordt from Germany for the first time almost after 192 years. After this, the other scientists have also done RBC count with different methods. Hayem used a new diluting fluid (Hayem‖s diluting fluid) for RBC count which is used even today. The present methods have many errors mainly due to sampling, diluting, and pipetting. Materials and methods: In this study, the modified method of RBC counting has been shown. The RBC counting was done using hemoglobinometer pipette and modified diluting fluid - Hayem‖s fluid mixed with Leishman‖s stain (HFLS) RBC diluting fluid - in the ratio of 97.5 mL of Hayem‖s RBC diluting fluid and 2.5 mL of Leishman‖s stain to make 100 mL. Amber colored glass bottle top dispenser was used to dispense 2 and 4 mL of diluting fluid into the glass test tubes .With aseptic precautions, 10 and 20 μL of blood samples were collected by using the hemoglobinometer pipette (marked with black marker pen to get accurate measurement for 10 μL) from finger prick with sterile needle. The blood samples were added to the glass test tubes containing HFLS RBC diluting fluid and mixing was done with a glass stirrer. With the help of glass capillary tube, Neubauer chambers were charged and observed under microscope. Results: Red blood cells were seen better. The RBCs retained their shape and size even after 96 hours when the blood samples mixed with HFLS RBC diluting fluid were kept at room temperature. Conclusion: Red blood cells were seen better with this method and diluting and charging errors were minimized.

Better Visualization of Red Blood Cells by Adding Leishman’s Stain to Hayem’s Fluid.

The visualization of red blood cells (RBCs) was compared by the modified method and the conventional method. The RBCs were seen better with the modified method.