Understanding Your Diagnostic Laboratory Test: What Patients Need to Know
A test that counts basophil cells in dialysis fluid to monitor dialysis quality and detect potential complications.
{"This test checks for basophils (a type of white blood cell) in the dialysis fluid","Helps detect infections or inflammatory conditions related to dialysis treatment","Performed by manual microscopic examination of the dialysis fluid sample","Results help healthcare providers ensure dialysis safety and effectiveness","Abnormal results may indicate peritonitis or other complications"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 53516-1
- Short code
- BASOWBCDL
- Synonyms
- Basophils NFr Dial fld Manual
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container for peritoneal dialysis fluid; vacuum tube transfer not required; may use EDTA tube for cell preservation if delay in analysis is anticipated
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 1
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- manual-count
- CPT
- 89051
- SNOMED
- 408300008
- Specimen volume
- Minimum 10 mL of peritoneal dialysis effluent; 20-50 mL preferred for adequate cell yield during manual counting
- Stability
- Specimen should be processed within 1-2 hours of collection for optimal cell morphology. If delayed, refrigerate at 2-8°C and process within 4 hours. Do not freeze.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
This is a laboratory test that helps your doctor evaluate your overall health by analyzing a small sample of blood, urine, or other body material to measure specific substances and detect possible medical conditions.
The Basophil Count in Dialysis Fluid test is a laboratory analysis that counts the number of basophil cells found in the fluid used during dialysis treatment. Basophils are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that play a role in your body's immune response. This test is performed manually under a microscope by a trained laboratory technician who examines a sample of your dialysis fluid to identify and count the basophils present.
Your doctor orders this test to help diagnose a medical condition, monitor an ongoing health problem, check how well a treatment is working, or screen for risk factors before symptoms become noticeable.
This test is primarily performed on patients who undergo dialysis (particularly peritoneal dialysis) to monitor the quality of the dialysis treatment and to detect any complications early. By checking for basophils in the dialysis fluid, healthcare providers can identify signs of infection, inflammation, or other problems that may be occurring in the dialysis circuit or within the patient's body. Regular monitoring helps ensure that dialysis treatments are working safely and effectively.
A trained healthcare professional collects a small sample, usually by drawing blood from a vein in your arm or obtaining a urine specimen, and sends it to a laboratory where specialists analyze the sample and report the results to your doctor.
A small sample of dialysis fluid is collected from your dialysis equipment or dialysis bag. This sample is then sent to a laboratory where a technician examines it under a microscope. The technician manually counts the number of basophils present in the sample and reports the findings to your healthcare provider. The procedure is simple and does not require any special preparation from you.
Reference range
Basophils/Leukocytes ratio in dialysis effluent: typically reported as percentage of total leukocytes; basophils are normally rare or absent (<1% of leukocytes). In peritoneal dialysis effluent, total leukocyte count is generally <100 cells/μL in uninfected patients.N/A
No special patient preparation required. For peritoneal dialysis patients, ensure dialysis fluid has been dwelling in the peritoneal cavity for the standard prescribed duration (typically 4-6 hours) prior to collection of effluent sample.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated basophil counts in dialysis fluid may indicate peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), infection in the dialysis circuit, or an inflammatory response to the dialysis treatment. Normal or low basophil counts generally indicate that the dialysis treatment is proceeding without complications. This test helps healthcare providers detect problems early, allowing for prompt treatment and prevention of more serious complications. For patients on long-term dialysis, regular monitoring of basophil counts is an important part of maintaining treatment quality and patient safety.
Frequently asked questions
Does this test require fasting?
Is this test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
What should I do if my results are abnormal?
How often should this test be done?
Sources
- 1LOINC Code ReferenceSource
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy