Objective      To investigate the count of inflammatory cells in induced sputum of healthy adults and to establish reference values in Chongqing city.       Methods      Eighty healthy adults received an inhale of hypertonic saline

and then the total cell counts and differential cell counts in the induced sputum were examined by Wright-Gimsa staining. Meanwhile

our results were compared with the previous data that were established by Belda

Spanevello

Luo Wei and Ding Cuimin.       Results      Among the 80 volunteers

sputum induction was produced in 78 voluntee

rs

with mean total cell count of (3.48±3.97)×10

6

/g

and proportions of eosinophils

neutrophils

lymphocytes

and macrophages were (0.07±0.21)%

(37.02±13.68)%

(2.90±2.22)%

and (60.7±13.67)% respectively in Chongqing. There was no significant difference in the total and differential cell counts between male and female and between smokers and nonsmokers (

P

>0.05). But the proportions of neutrophils was significantly lower than in Guangzhou from Ding Cuimin’s study. Reports in Hebei province there was significantly difference in the total and differential cell counts between smokers and nonsmokers (

P

<

0.05)

but there was not difference in our study (

P

>0.05).       Conclusion      Reference values are established for total and differential cell counts in induced sputum of healthy adults in Chongqing

which can provide a reference values to preliminary clinic.