Isolation of lymphocytes from peripheral blood of dogs

Previous methods for the isolation of canine peripheral lymphocytes have not consistently produced cells of adequate purity. By means of centrifugation over a layer of Ficoll-sodium diatizoate of appropriate density, followed by passage through a simple column using nylon fibers, relatively pure lymphocyte fractions were isolated from canine peripheral blood. This simple and rapid technique requires no special equipment. Sixty percent of the total lymphocyte population was recovered. The fractions were composed of 96% normal small lymphocytes with a viability of 98%. The lymphocytes thus obtained were suitable for a lymphocytotoxicity assay.