<p>From left to right: blast, thrombocyte (up), heterophil (center), reticulocyte, RBC precursor and platelet</p>
<p>B-ALL/Burkitt lymphoma: The blasts typically show a deep blue cytoplasm and several vacuoles. Tumour cells tend to be very fragile, resulting in 'smudge' cells (->) during blood film preparation.</p>
<p>Peripheral blood (May-Grünwald-Giemsa stain) showing a case of B-CLL with granulocytopenia (total 400/µL).</p>
<p>Bacterial aggregates on the blood film caused by contaminated staining solution (dark spots). </p>
<p>Cell description: </p> <p>Size: 12-15 µm </p> <p>Nucleus: curved or coiled band </p> <p>Cytoplasm: acidophilic containing fine reddish granulation</p>
<p>Storage of normal EDTA blood over a period of two days can falsely elevate the number of band cells (bottom right).</p>
<p>Size: 10-14 µm </p> <p>Nucleus: lobulated but often obscured </p> <p>Cytoplasm: acidophil with purple-black granulation </p> <p>Function: basophils can release histamine and heparin to respond to a suspected infection</p>