Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The complete blood count, or CBC, is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These cells carry oxygen throughout your body, fight infection, and help your blood clot properly when you are injured.

The Basophils/Leukocytes in Body Fluid test is a laboratory test that manually counts the number of basophils and other white blood cells (leukocytes) in a sample of body fluid. Basophils are a type of white blood cell that play a role in the body's immune response, particularly in allergic reactions and inflammation. This manual counting method involves examining the fluid sample under a microscope to identify and count these cells.

Your doctor may order a CBC as part of a routine checkup or to help find the cause of symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, fever, unexplained bruising, or bleeding. It is also used to monitor an existing health condition or to check how well a treatment is working over time.

This test is performed when there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in a body cavity, such as pleural fluid (around the lungs), peritoneal fluid (in the abdomen), or synovial fluid (in joints). The test helps doctors determine the cause of the fluid buildup, which could be due to infection, inflammation, cancer, or other medical conditions. By counting basophils and other white blood cells, doctors can better understand what is causing the fluid accumulation.

A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm, using a thin needle. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and you may feel a brief pinch when the needle goes in. The sample is then sent to a laboratory, where a machine analyzes your blood cells.

A sample of body fluid is collected by a healthcare provider through a procedure such as thoracentesis (for pleural fluid), paracentesis (for peritoneal fluid), or arthrocentesis (for joint fluid). The fluid sample is then sent to a laboratory where a trained technician examines it under a microscope. The technician manually counts the number of basophils and other white blood cells present in the sample. Results are typically reported as the number of cells per microliter (μL) or as a percentage of total white blood cells.

Your results will show whether your blood cell counts fall within the normal range. Values that are too high or too low may point to conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or clotting problems. Your doctor will review your numbers with you, explain what they mean, and discuss whether any follow-up testing or treatment is needed.

Normal basophil counts in body fluid are typically very low or absent. An elevated basophil count may indicate an allergic reaction, parasitic infection, or certain types of leukemia. Elevated total white blood cell counts generally suggest infection or inflammation. Your doctor will interpret the results based on your specific symptoms, medical history, and other test results.