Objective: To study the reference values for differential cell counts in nasal lavage of normality in Nanjing.
Method: The total and differential cell counts were examined in nasal lavage from samples of a total of 300 healthy non-smoking adult volunteers.
Result: Nasal lavage succeeded in 281 subjects, the achievement ratio was 93.67%. The proportions of eosinophils 0.46 +/- 1.03, neutrophils were 4.46 +/- 9. 84, macrophages 0. 19 +/- 0.73 and lymphocytes 0.04 +/- 0. 16, respectively. There were no significant differences in the differential cell counts between male and female(P>0. 05) . The 95% ceiling percentile of eosinophils and neutrophils in nasal lavage are 2. 58 and 19.76 respectively.
Conclusion: The reference values were established for differential cell counts in nasal lavage of normality in Nanjing. We propose that these data be used in research on pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the patients with nasal inflammation.