Basophils
What it measures, and what changes the number.
Basophils are the least common type of white blood cell. They carry granules containing histamine and other substances involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. This line reports the absolute count, meaning the number of basophils in a given volume of blood.
It comes from the differential part of a complete blood count, so it is read with the total white blood cell count, the basophil percentage and the other white cell types such as eosinophils, neutrophils and lymphocytes. The absolute count is the percentage applied to the total white cell count.
The sample is taken in an EDTA tube and counted by an automated analyzer, sometimes confirmed by a manual smear. Because basophils are so few, counts vary between analyzers, and delays before analysis can affect cell appearance. Reports may show it as Basòfils absolut or Basófilos.
Often read alongside: White blood cells, Basophils %, Eosinophils, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes