The dead leukocyte content of the blood in normal and leukemic patients

The dead leukocyte content of the blood of normal and leukemic subjects wasdetermined by the technic of the unstained-cell counts of Schrek. A small andconstant number of dead leukocytes was found in the normal blood, averaging46 per cu. mm. In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute leukemia, higher numbers of dead leukocytes were commonly found, ranging fromnormal values to as high as 4,600 per cu. mm. No correlation was found betweenthe numbers of smudge forms on blood smears from these patients and the number of dead leukocytes. The smudge forms on blood smears appear to result fromthe mechanical trauma produced in making the smears. The leukocytes fromchronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute leukemia appear to be much more susceptible to the mechanical forces produced in the preparation of blood smearsthan are leukocytes from normals and patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia.

Submitted on June 25, 1956 Accepted on August 12, 1956