Learn about the CD3 - CD4 - CD8 . count test

CD3 - CD4 - CD8 count test is a blood test used to determine the activity of the immune system in immunocompromised people. This is a widely used and reliable cell surface immunoassay.

1. What are CD3 - CD4 - CD8 cells? CD3 is a common T-lymphocyte antigen, present on the surface of all T-lymphocytes. CD4 is an antigen present on the surface of T-helper-lymphocytes (T-helper cells), monocytes, and some white blood cells. activated granules. CD8 is an antigen present on the surface of cytotoxic and inhibitory T cells. 2. What is a CD3 - CD4 - CD8 count test? The CD3 - CD4 - CD8 count test is a flow cytometry technique that uses monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, and CD8 with different fluorescent colors, to help detect and identify at the same time. accurate markers on the surface of lymphocytes, as well as the percentage and absolute numbers of TCD3, TCD4, and TCD8 lymphocytes in patient samples.
Counting test of CD3 - CD4 - CD8 is indicated to perform when it is necessary to test cells to assess immune status, count CD3 - CD4 - CD8. There are no absolute contraindications to this technique.
The CD4 count test is the standard for monitoring how HIV infection affects the immune system, thereby diagnosing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and assessing the patient's risk for HIV. other opportunistic infections. The cell count test also determines when to start treatment with drugs to prevent opportunistic infections.

Cell count is carried out every 3 - 6 months, depending on the patient's health condition.
3. Patient sample of CD3 - CD4 - CD8 cell test The specimen to be taken for testing is the patient's peripheral blood sample. The medical staff will draw 2ml of peripheral blood and anticoagulate with EDTA.
The person having the blood drawn may feel nothing or only a brief sharp pain when the needle is inserted through the skin into the vein. Whether or not a specimen is painful depends on the skill of the medical staff drawing the blood, the condition of the veins, and the individual's sensitivity to pain.
4. Technical procedure of immunoassay for CD3 - CD4 - CD8 Count 100μl of the patient's anticoagulated peripheral blood into a flow cytometer analyzer and write the patient's name on the tube. Add 20 μl of each CD45-PC5, CD3-ECD, CD4-PE, CD8-FITC antibody, then mix well and incubate at room temperature for 20 min, keeping the specimen container protected from light.
Continue adding 2000 μl of red blood cell lysate and incubate at room temperature for 10 min. Immediately after incubation for 10 min, add 100 μl of the reference bead suspension and mix, and analyze on a flow cytometer.
Analyze using the built-in T-CD3, T-CD4, T-CD8 counting program on the flow cytometer analyzer.

5. How long does it take for the test to get results? The CD3 - CD4 - CD8 count test is usually returned the same day. Immunoassay results will be automatically output by the computer as the absolute amount of each type of T-CD3, T-CD4, T-CD8 and the percentage of each type of T-CD3, T-CD4, T - CD8.
How much CD3 - CD4 - CD8 is normal?
Normal cell count is as follows:
CD3 T-cells: 800-2300 cells/uL of blood (55-80%) CD4 T-cells: 400-1300 cells/uL of blood (35-55% ). When the CD4 cell count decreases, it is more likely that acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is developing in the patient's body. CD8 T-cells: 250-800 cells/uL of blood (20-35%)

6. Possible errors when performing CD3 - CD4 - CD8 count test Errors in specimen collection: errors related to patient's name on test paper and on collection tube Samples are not consistent, blood samples are clotted, or the time of sampling is not recorded. The necessary information should be re-verified or, if the sample is coagulated, another specimen must be obtained. Lymphocyte areas are not included in the run window due to insufficient incubation of antibodies, incorrect execution and enough steps of the process, not enough incubation time, poor pipetting technique, clogged needle on the machine... Need to redo the test and follow the process, check the machine before analysis, wash the machine, Remove air bubbles and catheterize according to the instructions. The final result only shows the percentage of each type of T-CD3, T-CD4, T-CD8 cells without absolute numbers because the technician did not enter the information. number of leukocytes in the sample and the concentration of reference granules. At that time, it is necessary to re-analyze the incubated sample tube and note the input of the number of white blood cells in the sample and the reference particle concentration.
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