[T-lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and pleural effusion in tuberculous pleurisy and carcinomatous pleurisy: analysis by monoclonal antibodies].

By using monoclonal antibodies, OKT8(pant), OKT4(inducer/helper),OKT8(suppressor/cytotoxic) T-lymphocyte subsets were examined in 25 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 15 patients with carcinomatous pleurisy. The results showed that percent and absolute counts of OKT8,OKT4,OKT8 in tuberculous pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in carcinomatous pleural effusion. Percent and absolute counts of OKT8, OKT4, in tuberculous pleural effusion were significantly higher than those in peripheral blood. OKT8% in peripheral blood of carcinomatous pleural effusion was significantly lower than that in peripheral blood of control group. When OKT8% greater than 65, OKT4% greater than 45, OKT8 number/mm8 greater than 1,000, OKT4 number/mm8 greater than 800, OKT8 number/mm8 greater than 500 in pleural effusion, it suggests pleural effusion is tuberculous. when OKT8% less than 55, OKT4% less than 45, OKT5 number/mm8 less than 500, OKT4 number/mm8 less than 300, OKT8 number/mm8 less than 200, it suggests pleural effusion is carcinomatous pleural effusion.