CD4 and CD8

Also known as: T4 count; T-helper cells; T-suppressor cells; Cytotoxic T-cells

Formal name: CD4 lymphocyte count; CD8 lymphocyte count; CD4/CD8 ratio; CD4 percent

Related tests: HIV antibody; p24 antigen test; HIV viral load; HIV genotypic resistance testing; HIV phenotypic resistance testing

Article Sources

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NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used.

Sources Used in Current Review

Clarke, W. and Dufour, D. R., Editors (2006). Contemporary Practice in Clinical Chemistry, AACC Press, Washington, DC. Pp 487-490.

Bennett, N. and Rose, F. (2008 October 22, Updated). HIV Disease. eMedicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC24.HTM through http://www.emedicine.com. Accessed on 10/26/08.

Mayo Clinic Staff (2008 August 9). MayoClinic HIV/AIDS. MayoClinic.com [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hiv-aids/DS00005 through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2005 November, Revised). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Introduction. Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec14/ch192/ch192a.html?qt=HIV&alt=sh through http://www.merck.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2008 September, Reviewed). Human Immunodeficiency Virus – HIV. ARUP Consult [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/InfectiousDz/Viruses/HIV.html through http://www.arupconsult.com. Accessed on 10/30/08.

(2006 September 22). Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care Settings. CDC MMWR 55(RR14);1-17 [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5514a1.htm through http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr. Accessed on 11/1/08.

(2008 September 26). CD4 Monitoring of HIV Patients a Cost-Saving Strategy in Poor Countries. Medscape from Reuters Health Information [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/581174 through http://www.medscape.com. Accessed on 10/26/08.

Moing, V. et. al. (2007 May 22). From HIV Medicine Long-term Evolution of CD4 Count in Patients With a Plasma HIV RNA Persistently <500 copies/mL During Treatment With Antiretroviral Drugs. Medscape from HIV Medicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/556494 through http://www.medscape.com. Accessed on 11/1/08.

Moore, D.M. et. al. (2006 September 13). CD4 Percentage is an Independent Predictor of Survival in Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy with Absolute CD4 Cell Counts Between 200 and 350 Cells/UL. Medscape from HIV Medicine [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/543496 through http://www.medscape.com. Accessed on 11/1/08.

Baker, J. et. al. (2008 July 18). CD4+ Count and Risk of Non-AIDS Diseases Following Initial Treatment for HIV Infection. Medscape from AIDS 2008;22(7): 841-848. [On-line information]. Available online at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/575829 through http://www.medscape.com. Accessed on 11/1/08.

Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st ed. McPherson R, Pincus M, eds. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier: 2007. Pp 317, 600-604, 820 and 1923.

(Updated November 13, 2008) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Understanding How HIV Causes AIDS. Available online at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/HIVAIDS/Understanding/howhiv.htm through http://www3.niaid.nih.gov. Accessed February 2008.

LabCorp CD4:CD8 Ratio Profile. Available online through https://www.labcorp.com. Accessed February 2009.

ARUP Consult. Leukemia and Lymphoma Phenotyping. Available online at http://www.arupconsult.com/Topics/OncologicDz/Lymphomas/LeukemiaLymphomaPhenotyping.html# through http://www.arupconsult.com. Accessed March 2009.

(August 9, 2007) MayoClinic.com. DiGeorge Syndrome. Available onlien at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/digeorge-syndrome/DS00998 through http://www.mayoclinic.com. Accessed March 2009.

Sources Used in Previous Reviews

Thomas, Clayton L., Editor (1997). Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Company, Philadelphia, PA [18th Edition].

Pagana, Kathleen D. & Pagana, Timothy J. (2001). Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference 5th Edition: Mosby, Inc., Saint Louis, MO.

Janice K. Pinson MT, MBA. Molecular Business Strategies, Birmingham, MI.