Reagent for measuring reticulocytes and a method of measuring them

Claim 1

A reagent for measuring reticulocytes comprising at least one dye which specifically stains leukocytes so as to differentiate reticulocytes from leukocytes and at least one dye which specifically stains reticulocytes selected from the group consisting of formula (I), ##STR17## wherein R 1 is a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R 2 and R 3 are, the same or different, hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group; R 4 is hydrogen atom, an acyl or lower alkyl group; R 5 is hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted lower alkyl group; Z is sulfur atom, oxygen atom, or carbon atom substituted with a lower alkyl group; n is 1 or 2; and X - is an anion, formula (II'), ##STR18## wherein B is selected from the group consisting of --(CH═CH) n' --CH═, where n' is 0, 1 or 2 and --CH═C(--R 4 ') --CH═; C' is selected from the group consisting of ##STR19## X' is selected from the group consisting of O, S, Se and --C(CH 3 ) 2 ; Y' is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I; and R 1 ', R 4 ', R 5 ', R 6 ' and R 7 ' are, the same or different and selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl and a halogenated lower alkyl; and formula (III'), ##STR20## wherein B, X', and Y' - are as in formula (II') and, R 2 ' and R 3 ', are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl and a halogenated lower alkyl.