title: Enumeration of absolute cell counts using immunophenotypic techniques.
abstract: Absolute counting of cells or cell subsets has a number of significant clinical applications: monitoring the disease status of HIV-infected patients, enumerating residual white blood cells in leukoreduced blood products, and assessing immunodeficiency in a variety of situations. The single-platform method (flow cytometry alone) has emerged as the method of choice for absolute cell enumeration. This technology counts only the cells of interest in a precisely determined blood volume. Exact cell identification is accomplished by a logical electronic gating algorithm capable of identifying lineage-specific immunofluorescent markers. Exclusion of unwanted cells is automatic. This extensive and detailed unit presents protocols for both volumetric and flow-rate determination of residual white blood cells and of leukocyte subsets.
authors.affiliation: Health Canada, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mandy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brando
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002469:Cell Separation; D004581:Electronics; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens