title: Reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets in healthy Qatari adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determine reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets in healthy Qatari adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples (n = 150) were investigated using four colors flow cytometery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage and absolute values of the lymphocyte subsets were: CD3: 73.6 ± 6.1%; 2,072 ± 644 cells/μl; CD4: 41.1 ± 7.9%; 1,167 ± 396 cells/μl; CD8: 33.8 ± 7.1%; 967 ± 364 cells/μl; B cells (CD19(+)): 11.3 ± 3.9%; 318 ± 144 cells/μl and natural killer (NK) cells (CD16/56(+)): 16.5 ± 6.3%, 440 ± 401 cells/μl, respectively. The CD4/CD8 ratio was 1.3 ± 0.5. The ratio, CD3(+) and CD4(+) percentage and CD4(+) cell counts were significantly higher in females; CD8(+) and NK cell count and CD8(+) percentage were significantly higher in males. The impact of age was less certain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reference values of lymphocyte subsets appear to be specific to this population, demonstrating the importance of establishing local reference ranges.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Thani
authors.forename: Wedad S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hamdi
authors.affiliation: 2Hematology Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Marwani
authors.affiliation: 3Immunolgy Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alnaqdy
authors.affiliation: 4Laboratory Department, Qatar Armed Forces Medical Services, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hend
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sharafeldin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: B cells; CD3; CD4; CD8; flow cytometry; lymphocyte subsets; natural killer cells; reference ranges