The T- and B-Lymphocyte and Natural Killer Cell Profile includes the following tests:
Percentage CD3+; absolute CD3+; percentage CD3+CD4+; absolute CD3+CD4+; percentage CD3+CD8+; absolute CD3+CD8+; percentage CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells; absolute CD3-CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells; percentage CD19+; absolute CD19+; CD4:CD8 ratio; CBC
.
HIV-1 infection results in
a decrease of CD4 T cells, an increase in CD8 T cells, a decrease in
the CD4:CD8 ratio, and a progressive destruction of immune function.
Enumeration of CD4 and CD8 T cells in HIV-1 seropositive patients may be
used for prognostic purposes and to monitor disease progression and
retroviral therapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular
lymphocytes that mediate MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity against
virus-infected and malignant cells and manufacture a number of cytokines
following stimulation of the immune system.