The role of flow cytometry in the diagnosis of chest diseases

Immunophenotyping of cells by flow cytometry has become a routine test to diagnose pulmonary and mediastinal diseases. Peripheral blood, extravascular fluids, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and suspension of single cells obtained by fine-needle aspiration can be used. Peripheral blood (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 immunophenotyping of lymphocytes: CD14, CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, KLA DR) is used mainly for differential diagnosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (low CD4/CD8 ratio) and sarcoidosis (high CD4/CD8 ratio). The enumeration of alveolar macrophage subsets is an important tool to establish diagnosis of histiocytosis X (CD1a > 3%). Extravascular fluids, suspension of single cells and BAL are prefered materials for detection and classification of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (MOAb for immunophenotyping of lymphocytes: CD14, CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD16/56, HLA DR, CD38, CD25, CD23, CD5, CD11c, CD30, light chain immunoglobulins).