Test ID TBBS Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer (NK), Blood
Reporting Name
QN Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and NKUseful For
Serial monitoring of CD4 T-cell count in HIV-positive patients
Follow-up and diagnostic evaluation of primary immunodeficiencies, including severe combined immunodeficiency
Immune monitoring following immunosuppressive therapy for transplantation, autoimmunity, and other immunological conditions where such treatment is utilized
Assessment of immune reconstitution post hematopoietic cell transplantation
Early screening of gross quantitative anomalies in lymphocyte subsets in infection or malignancies
Absolute quantitation of circulating B cells for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients as indicated in the 2008 International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia guidelines
Specimen Type
Whole Blood EDTAAdvisory Information
This assay should not be used for diagnosing lymphocytic malignancies or evaluation of lymphocytosis of unknown etiology, though the latter may be identified through this assay in a screening assessment. In such cases, LCMS / Leukemia/Lymphoma Immunophenotyping, Flow Cytometry, Varies will be recommended, which includes a hematopathology review. However, this assay can be used for absolute quantitation of B cells in CLL patients as indicated above.
Shipping Instructions
It is recommended that specimens arrive within 24 hours of draw. Draw and package specimen as close to shipping time as possible.
Necessary Information
Date of draw is required.
Specimen Required
For serial monitoring, we recommend that specimen draws be performed at the same time of day.
Container/Tube: 4 mL Lavender top (EDTA)
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Whole Blood EDTA | Ambient | 52 hours | PURPLE OR PINK TOP/EDTA |
Reference Values
The appropriate age-related reference values will be provided on the report.
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Test Classification
This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
86355-B cells, total count
86357-Natural killer (NK) cells, total count
86359-T cells, total count
86360-Absolute CD4/CD8 count with ratio
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
TBBS | QN Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and NK | 80721-4 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
3321 | CD45 Total Lymph Count | 27071-0 |
3316 | % CD3 (T Cells) | 8124-0 |
3322 | CD3 (T Cells) | 8122-4 |
3319 | % CD4 (T Cells) | 8123-2 |
3325 | CD4 (T Cells) | 24467-3 |
3320 | % CD8 (T Cells) | 8101-8 |
3326 | CD8 (T Cells) | 14135-8 |
3318 | % CD19 (B Cells) | 8117-4 |
3324 | CD19 (B Cells) | 8116-6 |
4054 | % CD16+CD56 (NK cells) | 8112-5 |
4055 | CD16+CD56 (NK cells) | 20402-4 |
3327 | 4/8 Ratio | 54218-3 |
6657 | Comment | 80722-2 |
Clinical Information
Lymphocytes in peripheral blood (circulation) are heterogeneous and can be broadly classified into T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. There are various subsets of each of these individual populations with specific cell-surface markers and function. This assay provides absolute (cells/mcL) and relative (%) quantitation for the main categories of T cells, B cells, and NK cells, in addition to a total lymphocyte count (CD45+). Each of these lymphocyte subpopulations have distinct effector and regulatory functions and are maintained in homeostasis under normal physiological conditions. Each of these lymphocyte subsets can be identified by a combination of one or more cell surface markers. The CD3 antigen is a pan-T cell marker, and T cells can be further divided into 2 broad categories, based on the expression of CD4 or CD8 coreceptors. B cells can be identified by expression of CD19, while NK cells are typically identified by the coexpression of CD16 and CD56.
The absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets are known to be influenced by a variety of biological factors, including hormones, the environment, and temperature. The studies on diurnal (circadian) variation in lymphocyte counts have demonstrated progressive increase in CD4 T-cell count throughout the day, while CD8 T cells and CD19+ B cells increase between 8:30 a.m. and noon with no change between noon and afternoon. NK-cell counts, on the other hand, are constant throughout the day.(1) Circadian variations in circulating T-cell counts have been shown to be negatively correlated with plasma cortisol concentration.(2-4) In fact, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations control distribution and, therefore, numbers of naive versus effector CD4 and CD8 T cells.(2) It is generally accepted that lower CD4 T-cell counts are seen in the morning compared to the evening(5) and during summer compared to winter.(6) These data, therefore, indicate that timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets.
Abnormalities in the number and percent of T (CD3, CD4, CD8), B (CD19), and NK (CD16+CD56) lymphocytes have been described in a number of different disease conditions. In patients who are infected with HIV, the CD4 count is measured for AIDS diagnosis and for initiation of antiviral therapy. The progressive loss of CD4 T-lymphocytes inpatients infected with HIV is associated with increased infections and complications. The Public Health Service has recommended that all HIV-positive patients be tested every 3 to 6 months for the level of CD4 T lymphocytes.
Lymphocyte subset quantitation is also very useful in the evaluation of patients with primary immunodeficiencies of all ages, including follow-up for newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and immune monitoring following immunosuppressive therapy for transplantation, autoimmunity, or any other relevant clinical condition where immunomodulatory treatment is used.
It is also helpful as a preliminary screening assay for gross quantitative anomalies in any lymphocyte subset, whether related to malignancies or infection.
The 2008 guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) from the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia(7) recommends changing the diagnostic criteria for CLL from an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) greater than 5 x 10(9)/L to a circulating B-cell count greater than 5 x 10(9)/L(8,9) previously defined in the 1996 National Cancer Institute (NCI) guidelines for CLL. This flow cytometric assay enables accurate quantitation of circulating B cells using a single platform technology with absolute quantitation through the use of flow cytometry beads.
Interpretation
When the CD4 count falls below 500 cells/mcL, HIV-positive patients can be diagnosed with AIDS and can receive antiretroviral therapy.
When the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mcL, prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is recommended.
Clinical Reference
1. Carmichael KF, Abayomi A: Analysis of diurnal variation of lymphocyte subsets in healthy subjects and its implication in HIV monitoring and treatment. 15th Intl Conference on AIDS, Bangkok, Thailand, 2004, Abstract B11052
2. Dimitrov S, Benedict C, Heutling D, et al: Cortisol and epinephrine control opposing circadian rhythms in T-cell subsets. Blood 2009 May 21;113(21):5134-5143
3. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Nohroudi K, Born J: Number and function of circulating antigen presenting cells regulated by sleep. Sleep 2007;30:401-411
4. Kronfol Z, Nair M, Zhang Q, et al: Circadian immune measures in healthy volunteers: relationship to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones and sympathetic neurotransmitters. Pyschosom Med 1997;59:42-50
5. Malone JL, Simms TE, Gray GC, et al: Sources of variability in repeated T-helper lymphocyte counts from HIV 1-infected patients: total lymphocyte count fluctuations and diurnal cycle are important. J AIDS 1990;3:144-151
6. Paglieroni TG, Holland PV: Circannual variation in lymphocyte subsets, revisited. Transfusion 1994;34:512-516
7. Hallek M, Cheson BD, Catovsky D, et al: Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a report from the International Workshop on CLL updating the National Cancer Institute Working Group 1996 guidelines. Blood 2008;111:5446-5456
8. Hanson CA, Kurtin PJ, Dogan A: The proposed diagnostic criteria change for chronic lymphocytic leukemia: unintended consequences? Blood 2009;113:6495-6496
9. Hillmen P, Cheson BD, Catovsky D, et al: Letter to Editor. Blood 2009;113:6497-6498
10. US Department of Health and Human Services. Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in HIV-1-infected adults and adolescents. Available at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/guidelines
11. Thompson MA, Aberg JA, Hoy JF, et al: Antiretroviral treatment of adult HIV infection: 2012 recommendations of the International Antiviral Society-USA panel. JAMA 2012;308:387-402
Analytic Time
Same day/1 dayMethod Name
Flow Cytometry
Testing Algorithm
See Newborn Screen Follow-up for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCID) in Special Instructions.
Special Instructions
mcl-newborn