THE ROLE OF FLOW-CYTOMETRY IN THE DIAGNOS IS OF CHEST DISEASES

Immunophenotyping of cells by flow cytometry has become a routine test to diagnose pulmonary and mediastinal diseases. Peripheral blood, ext ravascular fluids, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and suspension of sing le cells obtained by fine-needle aspiration can be used. Peripheral bl ood (MOAb for immunophenotyping of lymphocytes: CD14, CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, HLA DR, CD38, CD25) is the material of choice for detection and monitoring of immunodeficiences. BAL (MOAb for immunophe notyping of lymphocytes: CD14, CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, KLA DR) is used mainly for differential diagnosis of extrinsic allergic a lveolitis (low CD4/CD8 ratio) and sarcoidosis (high CD4/CD8 ratio). Th e enumeration of alveolar macrophage subsets is an important tool to e stablish diagnosis of histiocytosis X (CD1a > 3%). Extravascular fluid s, suspension of single cells and BAL are prefered materials for detec tion and classification of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (MOAb for immunopheno typing of lymphocytes: CD14, CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, HLA D R, CD38, CD25, CD23, CD5, CD11c, CD30, light chain immunoglobulins).