Expected values of BAL fluid constituents in healthy smokers

Variable	Mean ± SEM	5th percentile*	95th percentile^¶
Percent recovery of lavagate	59.2 ± 1.4	35.9	74.9
Total cells, 10^6Δ	59.9 ± 7.3	10.5	176
Total cells/ml, 10^4Δ	41.8 ± 4.5	8.1	117.1
Macrophages, percent^Δ	92.5 ± 1	79.5	99
Macrophages/mL, 10^4Δ	39 ± 4.3	7	108.4
Lymphocytes, percent^Δ	5.2 ± 0.9	1	18.6
Lymphocytes/mL, 10^4Δ	1.74 ± 0.28	0.1	7.1
Neutrophils, percent^Δ	1.6 ± 0.2	0	7
Neutrophils/mL, 10^4Δ	0.82 ± 0.18	0	3.5
Eosinophils, percent^Δ	0.56 ± 0.13	0	3
Eosinophils/mL, 10^4Δ	0.28 ± 0.09	0	2.5
T cells, percent^◊	69.2 ± 4.32	15	95.5
T-helper cells, percent^◊	32.21 ± 2.71	9	65
T-suppressor cells, percent^◊	29.2 ± 3	5	58
Helper/suppressor ratio^◊	1.64 ± 0.29	0.3	6.1
B cells, percent^◊	6.54 ± 1.54	0	28.1
IgG, mcg/mL^§	10.22 ± 0.9	2.5	22.2
IgA, mcg/mL^§	5.94 ± 0.53	1.06	15.4
IgM, mcg/mL^§	0.227 ± 0.05	0.01	1
Albumin, mcg/mL^§	42.92 ± 2.73	14	91.1
Total protein, mcg/mL^§	95.39 ± 5.24	37.8	182.7

BAL: bronchoalveolar lavage.
* 5th percentile of the study population.
¶ 95th percentile of the study population.
Δ n = 64.
◊ n = 29.
§ n = 62.

Data from: BAL Cooperative Group. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990; 141:S169 (BAL Cooperative Group, 1990 #261).

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