Final answer:
A near-native WBC analysis on an automated differential is achieved through techniques like preparing a Wright stained blood smear, flow cytometry, and leukocyte counting and classification under a microscope. This process also includes the use of FACS for cell sorting, providing detailed WBC profiles that are critical for diagnosing various conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Achieving a near-native white blood cell (WBC) analysis on an automated differential involves several laboratory techniques. A prepared blood smear with a feathered edge is stained using Wright-Giemsa stain, allowing for the identification of WBCs under a light microscope. For quantitative and high-throughput analyses, flow cytometry is utilized, in which cells labeled with fluorescent antibodies pass through a laser beam one by one, allowing for counting and analysis of cell populations.
After staining a blood smear, a systematic scan using the oil immersion objective lens is performed to assess the appearance of red blood cells, platelets, and to analyze the WBC population. To organize and keep track of the observations, constructing a table to tally each type of leukocyte identified is recommended. The aim is to classify a significant number—50 to 100—of cells, to interpret whether the WBC distribution reflects a normal smear or indicates abnormalities.
In addition, cell sorting techniques like fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) can purify subpopulations of cells for research. FACS uses the principle of differential charges induced by cell-bound fluorogens, which are then sorted using an electrostatic deflector. All these methods together culminate in a comprehensive automated differential WBC analysis that resembles conditions similar to native state observations.