Flow-cytometry as an auxiliary in the diagnosis of primary humoral immunodeficiencies.

BACKGROUND

Antibody deficiencies encompass a wide spectrum of pathologies and constitute approximately 50 % of primary immunodeficiencies; with cytometry, it is possible to evaluate the immune status rapidly, effectively and at low cost.

OBJECTIVE

To assess, by means of flow cytometry, the cells of patients with three types of primary humoral immunodeficiencies.

METHOD: Using flow cytometry, blood samples from patients and healthy subjects were analyzed with different monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

Using various stains, a severe decrease in B lymphocytes was shown in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinemia, as well as a lack of CD154 expression in patients with hyper-immunoglobulin M syndrome, and heterogeneity of B lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

CONCLUSION

Flow cytometry enables early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiencies with a high level of confidence and, in many cases, identification of the genes involved.