About Us

Flow Cytometry

The Flow Cytometry Laboratory performs several assays for clinical diagnostic testing. Major clinical applications include:

  • Leukemia immunophenotyping by flow cytometry (see #3287 “Leukemia/Lymphoma Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry”)
    • Applicable to anticoagulated peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirates, tissues, or body fluids (for tissue, see #9439 “Leukemia/Lymphoma Immunophenotyping by Flow Cytometry, Tissue”)
    • Useful for:
      • Evaluating lymphocytoses of undetermined etiology
      • Identifying B- and T-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders involving blood and bone marrow
      • Distinguishing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
      • Immunologic subtyping of ALL
      • Distinguishing reactive lymphocytes/lymphoid hyperplasia from malignant lymphoma
      • Distinguishing between malignant lymphoma and acute leukemia
      • Phenotypic subclassification of B- and T-cell chronic lymphoproliferative disorders, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and hairy cell leukemia
      • Recognizing AML with minimal morphologic or cytochemical evidence of differentiation
  • DNA ploidy analysis of solid tumor (see #9319 “DNA Ploidy of Solid Tumor by Flow Cytometry, Paraffin Block”)
    • Applicable to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue
    • Useful for:
      • Determining the prognosis for patients with certain tumors, including: prostate, colon, endometrial, and breast carcinoma
      • Products of conception (triploidy)
  • T- and B-cell quantitation (see #9336 “T- and B-Cell Quantitation by Flow Cytometry” and #84348 “CD4 Count for Monitoring, Blood”)
    • Applicable to peripheral blood
    • Quantitation of total T-cells, CD4 and CD8 subpopulations, B-cells, and NK cells
    • Useful for:
      • Determining immune status in a variety of acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies
      • Monitoring total CD4 counts
      • Monitoring CD3 populations following anti-CD3 therapy post-transplantation
  • PI-linked antigen
    • Detects the presence or absence of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked antigens on the surface of peripheral blood granulocytes, monocytes, and erythrocytes
    • Useful in screening or confirming the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

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