Test Id : IABCS

When multiple specimen types are required to perform a panel of tests, the laboratory will perform the tests for which the appropriate specimen type was received. The laboratory will cancel those for which the appropriate specimen was not received. Be advised that this may change the degree of interpretation received with the report.

The IABCS is a panel test. This test requires two separate whole blood EDTA specimens at two different transport temperatures: one ambient and one refrigerate.

The TBBS / Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) Cells, Blood is automatically performed, a separate order is not required.

If only an ambient EDTA specimen is received, only the TBBS / Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) Cells, Blood will be performed. If only a refrigerate EDTA sample is received, this test will be canceled and converted to RBCS / Relative B-Cell Subset Analysis Percentage, Blood, which provides the relative B-cell subset values without quantitation.

This test is a screening test and further analyses will be required to complete a diagnostic workup for hyper-IgM (XHIM / X-Linked Hyper IgM Syndrome, Blood and CD40 / B-Cell CD40 Expression by Flow Cytometry, Blood).

Testing is performed Monday through Friday. The test may be canceled if specimens are not received in the laboratory by Friday at 8 p.m. Central time.

Samples arriving on weekends and observed holidays may be canceled.

Collect and package specimens as close to shipping time as possible.

It is recommended that specimens arrive within 24 hours of collection.

1. Date of collection is required.

2. Ordering healthcare professional name and phone number are required.

Two separate EDTA whole blood specimens are required: 1 refrigerate and 1 ambient transport temperature.

For serial monitoring, it is recommended that specimens are collected at the same time of day.

Specimen Type: Whole blood for TBBS / Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer (NK) Cells, Blood

Container/Tube: 4 mL Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

2. Label specimen as TBBS.

3. Ship ambient.

Specimen Stability Information: Ambient <52 hours

Specimen Type: Whole blood for IABC / B-Cell Phenotyping Screen for Immunodeficiency and Immune Competence Assessment, Blood

Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume:

< or =14 years: 4 mL

>14 years: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.

2. Label specimen IABC.

3. Ship refrigerate.

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated <48 hours

TBBS: 1 mL; IABC: > 14 years: 5 mL; < or = 14 years: 3 mL

Screening for common variable immunodeficiency and hyper-IgM syndromes

Assessing B-cell subset reconstitution after stem cell or bone marrow transplant

Assessing response to B-cell-depleting immunotherapy

This test is not indicated for the evaluation of lymphoproliferative disorders (eg, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma).

When multiple specimen types are required to perform a panel of tests, the laboratory will perform the tests for which the appropriate specimen type was received. The laboratory will cancel those for which the appropriate specimen was not received. Be advised that this may change the degree of interpretation received with the report.

Normal immunity requires a balance between the activities of various lymphocyte subpopulations with different effector and regulatory functions.

Different immune cells can be characterized by unique surface membrane antigens described by a cluster of differentiation nomenclature (eg, CD3 is an antigen found on the surface of T lymphocytes). Abnormalities in the number and percent of T (CD3, CD4, CD8), B (CD19), and natural killer (CD16+CD56) lymphocytes have been described in a number of different diseases. In patients infected with HIV, the CD4 count is measured for AIDS diagnosis and initiation of antiviral therapy. The progressive loss of CD4 T lymphocytes in patients infected with HIV is associated with increased infections and complications.

The United States Public Health Service has recommended that all HIV-positive patients be tested every 3 to 6 months for the level of CD4 T lymphocytes.

The adaptive immune response includes both cell-mediated (mediated by T cells and natural killer [NK] cells) and humoral immunity (mediated by B cells). After antigen recognition and maturation in secondary lymphoid organs, some antigen-specific B cells terminally differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells or become memory B cells. Memory B cells are 3 subsets: marginal zone B cells (MZ or non-switched memory), class-switched memory B cells, and IgM-only memory B cells. Decreased B-cell numbers, B-cell function, or both result in immune deficiency states and increased susceptibility to infections. These decreases may be either primary (genetic) or secondary. Secondary causes include medications, malignancies, infections, and autoimmune disorders.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), a disorder of B-cell function, is the most prevalent primary immunodeficiency with a prevalence of 1 to 25,000 to 1 to 50,000.(1) CVID has a bimodal presentation with a subset of patients presenting in early childhood and a second set presenting between 15 and 40 years or, occasionally, even later. Many different genetic defects have been associated with CVID, including variants in the ICOS, CD19, BAFF-R, and TACI genes. TACI variants account for 8% to 15% of CVID cases.

Common variable immunodeficiency is characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia, usually involving most or all of the immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE), impaired functional antibody responses, and recurrent sinopulmonary infections.(1,2) B-cell numbers may be normal or decreased. A minority of patients with CVID (5%-10%) have very low B-cell counts (<1% of peripheral blood leukocytes), while another subset (5%-10%) exhibit noncaseating, sarcoid-like granulomas in different organs and also tend to develop a progressive T-cell deficiency.(1) Of all patients with CVID, 25% to 30% have increased numbers of CD8 T cells and a reduced CD4 to CD8 ratio (<1). Studies have shown the clinical relevance of classifying patients with CVID by assessing B-cell subsets since changes in different B-cell subsets are associated with specific clinical phenotypes or presentations.(3,4)

The B-cell phenotyping assay can be used in the diagnosis of hyper-IgM syndromes, which are characterized by increased or normal levels of IgM with low IgG and/or IgA.(5) Patients with hyper-IgM syndromes can have 1 of 5 known genetic defects- in the CD40L, CD40, AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase), UNG (uracil DNA glycosylase), and NEMO (NF-kappa B essential modulator) genes.(5) Variants in CD40L and NEMO are inherited in an X-linked fashion, while variants in the other 3 genes are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Patients with hyper-IgM syndromes have a defect in isotype class-switching, which leads to a decrease in class-switched memory B cells, with or without an increase in non-switched memory B cells and IgM-only memory B cells.

In addition to its utility in the diagnosis of the above-described primary immunodeficiencies, B-cell phenotyping may be used to assess reconstitution of B-cell subsets after hematopoietic stem cell or bone marrow transplant. This test is also used to monitor B-cell-depicting therapies, such as Rituxan (rituximab) and Zevalin (ibritumomab tiuxetan).

The etiology of CVID is heterogeneous. Variants of the gene that encodes TACI, TNFRSF13B (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 13B), probably account for about 10% to 15% of all CVID cases.(6-8) Patients with variants in the TACI gene are particularly prone to developing autoimmune diseases, including cytopenias and lymphoproliferative disease. The other variants each have been reported in only a handful of patients. The etiopathogenesis is still undefined in 65% to 75% of patients with CVID.

The absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets are known to be influenced by a variety of biological factors, including hormones, the environment, and temperature. The studies on diurnal (circadian) variation in lymphocyte counts have demonstrated progressive increase in CD4 T-cell count throughout the day, while CD8 T cells and CD19+ B cells increase between 8:30 a.m. and noon, with no change between noon and afternoon. Natural killer cell counts, on the other hand, are constant throughout the day.(9) Circadian variations in circulating T-cell counts have been shown to be negatively correlated with plasma cortisol concentration.(10-12) In fact, cortisol and catecholamine concentrations control distribution and, therefore, numbers of naive versus effector CD4 and CD8 T cells.(10) It is generally accepted that lower CD4 T-cell counts are seen in the morning compared with the evening(13) and during summer compared to winter.(14) These data, therefore, indicate that timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets.

The appropriate age-related reference values will be provided on the report.

Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and natural killer:

When the CD4 count falls below 500 cells/mcL, patients who are HIV-positive can be diagnosed with AIDS and can receive antiretroviral therapy.

When the CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mcL, prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia is recommended.

Immune Assessment B Cell Subsets:

The assay provides quantitative information on the various B-cell subsets (percentage and absolute counts in cells/microliter). Each specimen is evaluated for B-cell subsets with respect to the total number of CD19+ B cells present in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell population, compared to the reference range. In order to verify that there are no CD19-related defects, CD20 is used as an additional pan-B-cell marker (expressed as percentage of CD45+ lymphocytes).

The B-cell panel assesses the following B-cell subsets:

CD19+=B cells expressing CD19 as a percent of total lymphocytes

CD19+ CD27+=total memory B cells

CD19+ CD27+ IgD+ IgM+=marginal zone or non-switched memory B cells

CD19+ CD27+ IgD- IgM+=IgM-only memory B cells

CD19+ CD27+ IgD- IgM-=class-switched memory B cells

CD19+ IgM+=IgM B cells

CD19+ CD38+ IgM+=transitional B cells

CD19+ CD38+ IgM-=plasmablasts

CD19+ CD21-=CD21 low ("immature") B cells

CD19+ CD21+=mature B cells

CD19+ CD20+=B cells coexpressing both CD19 and CD20 as a percent of total lymphocytes

This assay and the reference range reported are based on analysis of B cells derived from the mononuclear cell fraction of peripheral whole blood and, therefore, results may not be identical to those performed on whole blood (eg, TBBS / Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer [NK] Cells, Blood).

Timing and consistency in timing of blood collection is critical when serially monitoring patients for lymphocyte subsets. See data under Clinical Information.

1. Warnatz K, Denz A, Drager R, et al. Severe deficiency of switched memory B cells (CD27+ IgM- IgD-) in subgroups of patients with common variable immunodeficiency: a new approach to classify a heterogeneous disease. Blood. 2002;99(5):1544-1551

2. Brouet JC, Chedeville A, Fermand JP, Royer B. Study of the B cell memory compartment in common variable immunodeficiency. Eur J Immunol. 2000;30(9):2516-2520

3. Wehr C, Kivioja T, Schmitt C, et al. The EUROclass trial: defining subgroups in common variable immunodeficiency. Blood. 2008;111(1):77-85

4. Alachkar H, Taubenheim N, Haeney MR, et al. Memory switched B-cell percentage and not serum immunoglobulin concentration is associated with clinical complications in children and adults with specific antibody deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency. Clin Immunol. 2006;120(3):310-318

5. Lee WI, Torgerson TR, Schumacher MJ, et al. Molecular analysis of a large cohort of patients with hyper immunoglobulin M (hyper IgM) syndrome. Blood. 2005;105(5):1881-1890

6. Ramirez NJ, Posadas-Cantera S, Caballero-Oteyza A, Camacho-Ordonez N, Grimbacher B. There is no gene for CVID - novel monogenetic causes for primary antibody deficiency. Curr Opin Immunol. 2021;72:176-185. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2021.05.010

7. Salzer U, Chapel HM, Webster ADB, et al. Mutations in TNFRSF13B encoding TACI are associated with common variable immunodeficiency in humans. Nat Genet. 2005;37(8):820-828

8. Salzer U, Grimbacher B. TACI deficiency - a complex system out of balance.Curr Opin Immunol. 2021;71:81-88. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2021.06.004

9. Carmichael KF, Abayomi A. Analysis of diurnal variation of lymphocyte subsets in healthy subjects in the Caribbean, and its implication in HIV monitoring and treatment. Afr J Med Med Sci. 2006;35(1):53-57

10. Dimitrov S, Benedict C, Heutling D, et al. Cortisol and epinephrine control opposing circadian rhythms in T-cell subsets. Blood. 2009;113(21);5134-5143

11. Dimitrov S, Lange T, Nohroudi K, Born J. Number and function of circulating antigen presenting cells regulated by sleep. Sleep 2007;30(4):401-411

12. Kronfol Z, Nair M, Zhang Q, et al. Circadian immune measures in healthy volunteers: relationship to hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis hormones and sympathetic neurotransmitters. Pyschosom Med. 1997;59(1):42-50

13. Malone JL, Simms TE, Gray GC, et al. Sources of variability in repeated T-helper lymphocyte counts from HIV 1-infected patients: total lymphocyte count fluctuations and diurnal cycle are important. J AIDS. 1990;3(2):144-151

14. Paglieroni TG, Holland PV. Circannual variation in lymphocyte subsets, revisited. Transfusion. 1994;34(6):512-516

15. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Recommendations for prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia for adults and adolescents infected with human immunodeficiency virus. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1994;43(RR-3):1-21

16. Thompson MA, Horberg MA, Agwu AL, et al. Primary care guidance for persons with human immunodeficiency virus: 2020 update by the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;73(11):e3572-e3605. Erratum in: Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Dec 08

17. Kumanovics A, Sadighi Akha AA. Flow cytometry for B-cell subset analysis in immunodeficiencies. J Immunol Methods. 2022;509:113327. doi:10.1016/j.jim.2022.113327

18. Sadighi Akha AA, Csomos K, Ujhazi B, Walter JE, Kumanovics A. Evolving approach to clinical cytometry for immunodeficiencies and other immune disorders. Clin Lab Med. 2023;43(3):467-483. doi:10.1016/j.cll.2023.05.002

Quantitative Lymphocyte Subsets: T, B, and Natural Killer:

The T, B, and natural killer (NK)-cell surface marker assay uses monoclonal antibodies to identify the various membrane antigens and flow cytometry to enumerate the number of cells expressing these differentiation antigens. CD14 is used to exclude monocytes, thereby improving accuracy and enhancing the purity of the lymphocyte population. The results are reported as the percent of lymphocytes that are total T cells (CD3+), CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, NK (CD16+56+, CD3-), and B-lymphocytes (CD19+), and the absolute number of each cell type per mL of blood. The assay is a 7-color no-wash procedure, and the absolute counts are calculated from internal bead standards. In addition, the total lymphocyte count and the CD4:CD8 ratio are reported.(Hoffman RA, Kung PC, Hansen WP, Goldstien G. Simple and rapid measurement of human T lymphocytes and their subclasses in peripheral blood. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1980:77[8]:4914-4917; Mandy FF, Nicholson JK, McDougal JS. Guidelines for performing single-platform absolute CD4+T-cell determinations with CD45 gating for persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2003;52[RR-2]:1-13)

Immune Assessment B Cell Subsets:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells are isolated from whole blood using a Ficoll gradient and used in the staining protocol. The assay involves a multicolor 5-tube panel for the following antibodies: CD45, CD19, CD20, CD27, IgD, IgM, CD38, and CD21. After the staining with specific antibody, the cells are washed and fixed with paraformaldehyde and then analyzed by flow cytometry on a Becton Dickinson FACS Canto instrument. The cell-surface expression is denoted as the percent of CD19+ B cells expressing each of the specific markers. CD19+ and CD20+ B cells are expressed as a percent of the total lymphocytes (CD45+). The absolute counts for the B-cell subsets are derived from flow cytometry analysis of whole blood using monoclonal antibodies to identify CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD16+CD56+. CD14 is used to exclude monocytes, thereby improving accuracy and enhancing the purity of the lymphocyte population. The assay is a 7-color, lyse-no wash procedure and the absolute counts are calculated from internal bead standards. The absolute lymphocyte count per microliter is used to calculate the absolute counts of the various B-cell subsets in this assay.(Unpublished Mayo method)

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This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

86355-B cells, total count

86357-Natural killer (NK) cells, total count

86359-T cells, total count

86360-Absolute CD4/CD8 count with ratio

86356 x7 - Mononuclear cell antigen, quantitative