Clinical Flow Cytometry in the Diagnosis of Primary Immunodeficiences
Updated 2011
Introduction
The following will help inform physicians of the commonly used flow cytometric tests for the evaluation of primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDDs). PIDDs can present at any age and are characterized by recurrent infections, severe infections requiring hospitalization or intravenous antibiotics, and infections caused by opportunistic or unusual organisms. The ability to characterize and define these disorders has improved greatly as our understanding of immunology has progressed.
The evaluation of PIDDs has benefited from the use of flow cytometry. Flow cytometry utilizes antibodies or reagents that emit fluorescence to enumerate the subsets of peripheral blood leukocytes and characterize the functional capacity of these cells. By staining peripheral blood leukocytes with antibodies that are specific for defined antigens, detailed assessments of the different components of the immune system are possible. This educational booklet will provide a brief overview of PIDDs and the specific flow cytometric tests that can be used to diagnose these disorders.
Primary immunideficiency tests
- Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
- Absolute T4
- Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase
- Common Variable Immunodeficiency
- Cytotoxicity/Apoptosis
- Hyper IgM
- Neutrophil Oxidative Burst
- Neutrophil Phagocytosis
- Perforin – Granzyme
- Primary Immunodeficiency 1
- Primary Immunodeficiency 2
- Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
- T cell Activation
- T helper IL17
- T cell Interleukin Proliferation
- Toll-like Receptor
- T cell Mitogen Proliferation
- T Regulatory – FoxP3
- X-linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome
Download the Clinical Flow Cytometry in the Diagnosis of Primary Immunodeficiencies booklet (PDF).