Normal range determination of lymphocytes subsets in normal adults in Iran.

Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes is very essential for evaluation of immune system. Due to the effect of environmental factors and ethical diversity on immune system, establishment of an internal normal range of lymphocyte subsets is a necessity for each population. The aim of this study was to determine the normal range of T and B lymphocytes, and NK cells in normal Iranian adults. Two hundred and thirty three Iranian normal adult volunteers took part in this study. Complete Blood Count (CBC) was performed for them with Sysmex (KX21) and cells with CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD16/56 surface markers were simultaneously detected by flow cytometry method with FACstar system. Their percentile and absolute count were determined.The volunteers were 150 male and 83 female. Mean percentages of lymphocyte subpopulation were: CD3 (67.66 ±7.76), CD19 (14.41±5.09), CD4 (39.22±6.7), CD8 (25.42 ±5.4) and CD16/56 (10.14±6.42). Also, their mean absolute count of lymphocyte bearing CD3, CD19, CD4 and CD8 were 1,504±505/µl, 332±186/µl, 827±313/µl and 522±185/µl, respectively.Our results are comparable with similar Asian results from other Asian population, but are different from European population, we therefore conclude that it is necessary for each laboratory to establish an internal normal range for the lymphocytes bearing above- mentioned markers.