Helper/Suppressor and Natural Killer Cell Profile

Monitor patients helper/suppressor T-cell status; assess other changes in T-cell surface markers that may indicate changes in immune status.

HIV-1 infection results in a decrease of CD4 T cells, an increase in CD8 T cells, a decrease in the CD4:CD8 ratio, and a progressive destruction of immune function. Enumeration of CD4 and CD8 T cells in HIV-1 seropositive patients may be used for prognostic purposes and to monitor disease progression and retroviral therapy. Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes that mediate MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity against virus-infected and malignant cells and manufacture a number of cytokines following stimulation of the immune system.

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