The effects of cigarette smoking on peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations: an urban population-based study in Thailand.

Preliminary studies for peripheral blood leukocytes and lymphocyte subsets were done in smokers and non-smokers. There were 20 smokers (smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day) for more than a year and 20 non-smokers (smoked less than 20 cigarettes/20 years). Ages of smokers and non-smokers were respectively 21-57, and 18-55 years. Cigarette smoking was associated with a statistically significant increase in the number of neutrophils, activated lymphocytes, CD25 and CD19; but a statistical decrease in the percentage of CD7 and CD3. (P < 0.05)