Fully automated cytochemistry on whole blood smears using the Technicon Hemalog D or Technicon H6000/Autoslide:...

Two methods for performing fully automated cytochemical myeloperoxidase stains on whole blood smears using the Technicon Autoslide are described. The Autoslide is a device designed to operate synchronously with the Technicon Hemalog D or H6000 systems to produce whole blood smears suitable for microscopic examination at the rate of 90 processed slides per hour. Both methods (with benzidine base and 4-chloro-1-naphthol as chromogens) demonstrated myeloperoxidase activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes with high specificity and sensitivity. The methods provided cleared permanent cytochemical stains and avoided skin exposure to potentially infectious specimens during the smearing and staining procedures. The standardization of cytochemical procedures and the analytical speed of the device make these automated cytochemical methods suitable for use in many large hematological laboratories.