T-Cell Subsets, Naive, Memory, and Activated, Blood

Casandra

Casandra Test Code MC59957Version 1 (DRAFT)

Performing Lab

Lab Mayo Clinic LabLab Test ID TCPCPT Code 86356

T-Cell Subsets, Naive, Memory, and Activated, Blood

Clinical Use

Use

Determining the presence of naive, memory, and activated T cells in various clinical contexts including autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiency states, T-cell recovery post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant, DiGeorge syndrome, and as a measure for T-cell immune competence. Naive T-cells results can be used as a surrogate marker for thymic-derived T-cell reconstitution, when used in conjunction with assessment of T-cell receptor excision circles. Assessing a patient's relative risk for infections, and evaluating T-cell reconstitution after hematopoietic stem cell transplant, chemotherapy, biological therapy, immunosuppression, or immunomodulator therapy, among others.

Special Instructions

This assay provides quantitative information on various T-cell subsets in blood but does not provide any information on the antigen-specific or otherwise functional state of the T cells. For functional testing, other assays should be considered. Testing is performed Monday through Friday, and specimens not received by 4 p.m. Central time on Fridays may be canceled. Specimens arriving on the weekend and observed holidays may be canceled.

Limitations

The assay does not assess the antigen-specific or functional state of T cells. Timing and consistency in timing of blood collection are critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets. See Clinical Information for more details. Improper collection and handling or inappropriate test selection can lead to diagnostic confusion.

Test Details