Cell immunotyping

Last updated: Friday, 02, April, 2004
Item Process
Specimen

5-10 mL blood or 1-2 mL bone marrow aspirate in lithium heparin or ACD tube; CSF and other fluids in sterile container; lymph nodes and other tissues in sterile tissue culture medium. See Immunohistology.

Method

Cell identification using antibodies to cellular antigens (including T and B lymphoid, myeloid, platelet, natural killer, stem cell, epithelial and other non-haemopoietic cells) by flow cytometry or immunoenzymatic techniques.

Application

Assessment of lineage and clonality of B cell lymphoproliferative disorders;
classification of acute and chronic leukaemias;
occasionally useful to detect residual disease in leukaemia;
identification of undifferentiated tumours;
investigation of aetiology of unexplained lymphocytosis;
detection of metastatic disease in bone marrow or other tissues; and
assessment and monitoring of stem cell numbers for collection by cytapheresis for peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation.

Interpretation

The report will include identification of the cell types present, and an interpretative comment from the pathologist.
See also Lymphocyte immunophenotyping.

Reference

Chanarin I ed. Laboratory Haematology. Churchill Livingstone 1989.