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B and T cell screen
Direct immunofluorescence; E-rosetting; T and B lymphocyte assays; B and T lymphocyte assays
A B and T cell screen is a laboratory test to determine the amount of T and B cells (lymphocytes) in the blood.
How the Test is Performed
Blood sample is needed
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
Blood could also be obtained by capillary sample (fingerstick, or heelstick in infants).
Capillary sample
A capillary sample is a blood sample collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.
After the blood is drawn it goes through a two-step process. First, the lymphocytes are separated from other blood parts. Once the cells are separated, identifiers are added to distinguish between T and B cells. The E-rosetting test identifies T cells and direct immunofluorescence is used to identify B cells.
How to Prepare for the Test
Tell your health care provider if you have had any of the following, which might affect your T and B cell count:
-
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
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- Radiation therapy
- Recent or current infection
- Steroid therapy
-
Stress
Stress
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How the Test Will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.
Why the Test is Performed
Your doctor may order this test if you have signs of certain diseases that weaken the immune system. It may also be used to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous disease, especially cancers that involve the blood and bone marrow.
The test may also be used to determine how well treatment for certain conditions is working.
Normal Results
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Abnormal T and B cell counts suggest a possible disease. Further testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.
An increased T cell count may be due to:
-
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cell called a lymphoblast. ALL occurs when the bone marrow prod...
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Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are found in the bone marrow and other p...
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Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis
Mononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.
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Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bone...
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- Toxoplasmosis
- Tuberculosis
An increased B cell count may be due to:
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
- DiGeorge syndrome
- Multiple myeloma
-
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). WM is associated with the overproduction of protei...
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A decreased T cell count may be due to:
- Congenital T-cell deficiency disease, such as Nezelof syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
- Acquired T-cell deficiency states, such as HIV infection or HTLV-1 infection
- B cell proliferative disorders, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
A decreased B cell count may be due to:
-
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. When a person becomes infected with HIV, the virus attacks and weakens the immune ...
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- Congenital immunoglobulin deficiency disorders
- Acquired immunoglobulin deficiency disorders
Risks
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fainting or feeling light-headed
- Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Soff GA, Green DL, Gardner LB. Hematologic manifestations of systemic disease: cancer. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hoffman Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 157.
Review Date: 11/24/2014
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Lutherville Personal Physicians, Lutherville, MD, Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
