Demonstration of the phagocytic activity of chicken basophils in the reversed Arthus reaction using colloidal carbon.

Chicken basophils showed phagocytosis of carbon particles in reversed passive Arthus reaction, induced in the skin. Heterophils, monocytes and thrombocytes also contained carbon particles, but eosinophils revealed them only occasionally. The findings suggest that basophils may share phagocytic properties with other cells under immunological stimulus.