CD4/8 counts (T Lymphocyte subsets)

Alternative names, keywords

Samples required

EDTA blood (purple cap/ black cap ring, 4 mL tube). Smaller tubes are available for paediatric samples.

Must be tested within 48 hours – stored locally at room temperature. Not tested at weekends or Bank Holidays, however samples may be tested on Saturday mornings provided they arrive before 10am.

Test indications

For immune monitoring (e.g. HIV+ patients). Not to be used as a surrogate for serological HIV testing.

Reference range

	CD4		CD8		T cells (CD3+)
	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)
Adult	28 - 57	300 - 1400	10 - 39	200 - 900	55 - 83	700 - 2100
_{Source: Comans-Bitter et al, Netherlands 1997, n=51}

	CD4		CD8		T cells (CD3+)
Paediatric	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)	%	Absolute count (10⁶/L, cells/µL)
1 day to 1 week	17 - 52	400 - 3500	10 - 41	200 - 1900	28 - 76	600 - 5000
1 week to 2 months	41 - 68	1700 - 5300	9 - 23	400 - 1700	60 - 85	2300 - 7000
2 to 5 months	33 - 58	1500 - 5000	11 - 25	500 - 1600	48 - 75	2300 - 6500
5 to 9 months	33 - 58	1400 - 5100	13 - 26	600 - 2200	50 - 77	2400 - 6900
9 to 15 months	31 - 54	1000 - 4600	12 - 28	400 - 2100	54 - 76	1600 - 6700
15 to 24 months	25 - 50	900 - 5500	11 - 32	400 - 2300	39 - 73	1400 - 8000
2 to 5 years	23 - 48	500 - 2400	14 - 33	300 - 1600	43 - 76	900 - 4500
5 to 10 years	27 - 53	300 - 2000	19 - 34	300 - 1800	55 - 78	700 - 4200
10 to 16 years	25 - 48	400 - 2100	9 - 35	200 - 1200	52 - 78	800 - 3500

Source: Comans-Bitter WM, et al, Immunophenotyping of Blood Lymphocytes in Childhood, J Pediatrics, 1997, 130:388-93

Turnaround time

Results within 2 working days.

Enquiries

Haematology (Immunohaematology)

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