From the Guidelines
A lymphocyte subset panel 1 is primarily used for diagnosing and monitoring immune deficiency disorders, particularly HIV/AIDS, by measuring CD4+ T-cell counts and other lymphocyte subsets. This is based on the guidelines for performing single-platform absolute CD4+ T-cell determinations with CD45 gating for persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus, as described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. The test is essential for evaluating the immune system by measuring specific types of white blood cells, including T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells in the blood.
Some key points to consider when using a lymphocyte subset panel 1 include:
- The test helps track CD4+ T cell counts to guide treatment decisions in HIV/AIDS patients
- It is valuable for monitoring other immunodeficiency conditions, such as evaluating immune recovery after treatments like stem cell transplantation
- The test assesses immune function in patients with recurrent infections
- Healthcare providers typically order this test when patients present with symptoms of immune dysfunction or unexplained recurrent infections
- Results provide critical information about the patient's immune status, helping clinicians make appropriate treatment decisions and assess disease progression or treatment effectiveness
The single-platform technology (SPT) used in this test incorporates internal calibrator beads of known quantity in the analysis of specimens by three- or four-color flow cytometry, with CD45 gating to enumerate the relative numbers of beads and lymphocyte subsets, and calculate their absolute numbers and percentage values 1. This approach has been recommended by the CDC as a reliable method for performing absolute CD4+ T-cell determinations in persons infected with HIV.
From the Research
Lymphocyte Subset Panel 1
Lymphocyte subset panel 1 is used for various diagnostic purposes, including:
- Evaluating immune function and diagnosing immune deficiencies 2, 3
- Assessing the quantity of different lymphocyte subsets, such as CD3+T, CD4+T, CD8+T, and γδT cells, in peripheral blood 4, 5, 6
- Monitoring the progression of diseases like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 4, 6
- Establishing reference ranges for lymphocyte subsets in healthy adults and adolescents 5
Key Applications
Some key applications of lymphocyte subset panel 1 include:
- Diagnosing primary and secondary immunodeficiencies 2, 3
- Evaluating the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 6
- Monitoring the immune response in HIV-infected/AIDS patients 4
- Providing evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of immune-related diseases 3, 4, 6
Lymphocyte Subsets
The panel typically includes the following lymphocyte subsets: