Single step enrichment of human peripheral blood basophils by Ficoll-Paque centrifugation.

A simple, rapid and economical method for the enrichment of basophils from peripheral blood with high recovery is described. Peripheral blood was layered over a Ficoll-Paque cushion and centrifuged. The Ficoll-Paque layer was aspirated taking care not to disturb the interphase and the buffy coat. The Ficoll-Paque layer contained most of the basophils. A recovery of 82% (65-95%) and a 23.5-fold enrichment of basophils with their morphology and biological activity preserved was achieved.