Enumeration of T, B, and Natural Killer lymphocyte populations: Establishment of Tunisian normal values and study in a population of HIV-positive individuals, based on the clinical and biological evolution of their disease

Abstract

T, B and Natural Killer cells were analysed in percentage and in absolute count, in 43 HIV+ individuals and in 46 normal blood donors by means of a three-colour flow cytometric method. We initially established normal ranges for these parameters in the tunisian population, by means of the most sensitive and precise method existing currently. Then, we compared the results obtained in the HIV seropositives group versus the normal donors group. Finally, we analysed the evolution of all these parameters recorded in HIV seropositive subjects, according to the clinico-biological stage of their infection, and found a certain number of correlations in the evolution of total T cell, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, B cell and Natural Killer cell absolute counts.