SUBMUCOSA 1.0X0.1 MM IN SIZE IS SUFFICIENT TO COUNT INFLAMMATORY CELLNUMBERS IN HUMAN AIRWAY BIOPSY SPECIMENS

Counting of inflammatory cells in human airway biopsy specimens is dif ficult because immunopositive cells are present in varying density in lung tissue. The goal of our study was to assess the minimal amount of tissue that is necessary for the counting of constant cell numbers. I n bronchial biopsy specimens from 5 healthy controls and 5 patients wi th asthma, we evaluated 20 successive areas of submucosa 0.1 x 0.1 mm in size. We recorded positive and negative changes of more than 10% in the counted numbers of CD4-, CD8-, and EG2-positive cells. We demonst rated that tissue 1.0 x 0.1 mm in size, along 1-mm basement membrane, is sufficient to obtain constant cell numbers.