Normal Values for CD4 and CD8 Lymphocyte

The aim of this study was to establish reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in Chinese adults. Venous blood specimens were obtained from 614 healthy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seronegative adults in Shanghai. Flow cytometry was used to determine percentages and absolute numbers of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes. Mean values for CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were 727 and 540 cells/l, respectively, yielding a CD4/CD8 ratio of 1.49. While CD8 lymphocyte values varied with age and gender, no significant differences in CD4 lymphocyte values were observed. Shanghai adults had approximately 100 fewer CD4 lymphocytes/l on average than Caucasians, suggesting that lower CD4 lymphocyte cutoffs for classifying and monitoring HIV infection may be needed in China. Measurements of CD4 lymphocytes are essential for as-sessing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease course, clinical staging, epidemiological studies, and decisions regard-ing prophylactic therapies against opportunistic infections (2, 3, 8, 9, 21). Only in industrialized countries has it been feasible to routinely monitor CD4 lymphocyte subsets during routine HIV clinical care. In China, HIV has spread to all 31 provinces