Reference ranges of lymphocyte subsets in healthy Qatari adults

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Hematology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate lymphocyte subset reference ranges are crucial for diagnosing and monitoring immune status.
• Existing reference ranges may not accurately reflect the immunological profiles of diverse populations.
• Establishing population-specific data is essential for precise clinical interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in a healthy Qatari adult population.
• To provide a basis for accurate immunological assessments within this demographic.
• To highlight the importance of localized reference values in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 150 healthy Qatari adults provided blood samples for analysis.
• Four-color flow cytometry was employed to quantify lymphocyte subsets.
• Key subsets analyzed included CD3, CD4, CD8, B cells (CD19+), and NK cells (CD16/56+).

Main Results:

• Mean percentages and absolute counts for CD3, CD4, CD8, B cells, and NK cells were determined.
• The CD4/CD8 ratio was calculated as 1.3 ± 0.5.
• Significant sex-based differences were observed in CD3, CD4, CD8, and NK cell counts and percentages, with age impact being less clear.

Conclusions:

• The established reference values for lymphocyte subsets are specific to the Qatari population.
• This study underscores the necessity of developing and utilizing local reference ranges for immunological parameters.
• Accurate, population-specific data improves the reliability of clinical diagnostics and patient management.