Enumeration of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in healthy HIV seronegative adults of northwest India: a preliminary study.

CD4 T lymphocyte count is used to measure the progression of HIV infection and to monitor the response to antiretroviral therapy. Information on reference CD4 and CD8 T cell counts in healthy individuals is lacking in northwest India. Samples from 65 HIV-seronegative healthy volunteers (males, 37; females, 28) aged 18 through 59 years were analyzed using FACS (Fluorescent Antibody Cell Sorter) Count TM System. The values of mean and standard deviation of each lymphocyte subpopulation were estimated. The mean +/- SD of absolute numbers of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes/microl was 743.4 +/- 307.8 and 541.7 +/- 176.4 in males and 790.7 +/- 280.4 and 497.03 +/- 203.6 in females respectively. The range of CD4 counts was 379 to 1800 in males and 321 to 1265 in females. The mean CD4:CD8 ratio was 1.43 +/- 0.56 in males and 1.78 +/- 0.76 in females. The results of this study show a wide variability in CD4 counts in the Indian population. A large multicentric study would define normal ranges of CD4, CD8, and CD4:CD8 ratios among the Indian population.