[Detection of lymphocyte subpopulations in EDTA whole blood samples using flow cytometry. Stability and normal values].

Series of T-cell-specific monoclonal antibodies (OKT 11 for peripheral T-lymphocytes, OKT 4 for helper/inducer T-cells, OKT 8 for suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells), one B-cell-specific antibody (anti-LEU-10) and the antibody anti-LEU-7 for LGL/NK-cells were used to detect the distribution of different lymphocyte subpopulations in the peripheral blood of 60 healthy, clinically examined test persons. The flow cytometry was performed by means of direct immunofluorescence method. The statistical evaluation showed that the results in all three age groups studied did not essentially differ with the exception of the so-called natural killer cells which increase significantly with advancing years. The described method allows the dispatch of lymphocytes samples even from places far away and the analysis of the specimen within 36 to 48 h.