T-cell subsets ( CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4:CD8 ratio)

FLOW CD4

Test Synonym:

CD4/CD8 count; T helper/ T suppressor analysis; CD4 T-cell enumeration

Test Synonym:

86359 - T-cells, total count
86360 – Absolute CD4 and CD8 count, including ratio

Turnaround Time:

<24 hours

Methodology:

Flow cytometry, multiparameter analysis

Specimen Requirements:

5.0ml (min. 2.0ml) EDTA whole blood

Causes for Rejection:

Specimens stored at incorrect temperature; Non-viable specimens; Specimens in inappropriate anticoagulant; Too few cells; Hemolysis; Specimen clotted

Specimen Stability:

Specimen stable at 18-25°C for 48 hours

Storage and Handling:

Ship ambient (during the summer a cooled ice pack may be used if it is not allowed to contact the sample)

Reference Range:

See report

Indication:

CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4+ T-cell) percentage and absolute counts have been traditionally used as surrogate markers for disease progression in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Useful for immune status monitoring, the CD4 count is used for the classification of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), to establish decision points in the treatment of opportunistic diseases and antiviral therapy and to monitor the efficacy of treatment. Therefore, accurate and reliable measurements of CD4+ T-cells are essential to the assessment of the immune system of HIV infected individuals. The United States Public Health Service (USPHS) recommends that CD4+ T-cell levels be monitored every 3-6 months in all HIV infected individuals.

Related Tests:

Human Immunodeficiency virus quantitation by PCR

References:

Maurice R. G. O'Gorman and Janet K. A. Nicholson. (2000) Adoption of Single-Platform Technologies for Enumeration of Absolute T-Lymphocyte Subsets in Peripheral Blood., Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 7(3): 333–335