Use of whole blood in the measurement of neutrophil migration

A whole-blood method was used for measuring neutrophil migration in micropore membrane. The method is reproducible (coefficient of variation (CV) 10.3% and 9.8% in two normal individuals tested repeatedly) and can be performed on an 0.25 ml lithium heparin blood sample. Migration is independent of leucocyte and erythrocyte counts and is comparable with that obtained for separated cells. As in separated cell techniques, cytochalasin and casein respectively inhibit and stimulate neutrophil migration. The technique is of value when testing large numbers of samples and when only small volumes of blood can be obtained, for example, in neonates.