title: Basic blue 148: a rapid stain for T helper cells.
abstract: After brief exposure to an aqueous solution of the oxazine textile dye C.I. basic blue 148 following fixation in 37% formalin, 95% ethanol and glacial acetic acid, T helper cell nuclei and cytoplasm in specimens of peripheral blood displayed a deep red-violet color. No other cell in normal blood or bone marrow specimens showed intense staining of this type. The total staining time is 1 min. Basic blue 148 stain is a promising technique for hematology and immunology laboratories as a rapid screening test for T helper cells in blood specimens using a microscopic slide and ordinary incandescent illumination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kass
mesh_terms: D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D010078:Oxazines; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: C096313:C.I. basic blue 148; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010078:Oxazines