Rapid determination of CSF lymphocyte subsets by labeled microspheres

A new, easy and quick method for the quantification of CSF T lymphocyte subpopulations (T4, T8, Leu-7) is reported. The lymphocytes form visible rosettes with plastic spheres to which monoclonal antibodies to human T cell have been coupled. The rosettes can be enumerated by light microscopy. The method is similar to erythrocyte rosette (E-rosette) techniques. The Quantigen (BioRad) T4/T8 assay was used for control. However, the method can also be used for the demonstration and identification of CSF T cell subpopulations by transmission and scanning electron microscopy.