Memory B Cell Analysis

Immunology

---

Description

Common variable immunodeficiency is a heterogenous group of immunodeficiencies linked by failures in B cell maturation leading to variable low immunoglobulin levels. The presentation and disease course of CVID is variable between each patient. However efforts have been made to try to classify patients into groups according to their expression of switch memory B cells in peripheral blood [1,2]. The different levels of memory B cell expression have been associated with the risk of developing certain disease complications. For example, Warnatz et al, reported that patients with low levels (<0.4% PBL) of memory B cells were at higher risk of splenomegaly and autoimmune cytopenias. It has been found that autoimmune complications can be seen in all groups [1,2,3,4]

---

Indications

To categorise patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).

---

Sample Type

2mL EDTA whole blood.Samples must be urgently transported to the laboratory. Requests from outside Sheffield: Please discuss transport requirements prior to requesting this test.

---

Reference Range

See report
Reference ranges established by in-house validation.

---

Turnaround Time

Within 5 days

---

Testing Frequency

Discuss with Immunology prior to requesting this test.

---

References

Wehr C, et al. The EUROclass trial: defining subgroups in common variable immunodeficiency. Blood. 2008. 111:77-85. [Ref 1]
Alachkar H, et al. Memory switched B cell percentage and not serum immunoglobulin concentration is associated with clinical complications in children and adults with specific antibody deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency. Clin. Immunol. 2006. 120:310-318. [Ref 2]
Ferry B, et al. Measurement of peripheral B cell subpopulations in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) using whole blood method. Clin. Exper. Immunol. 2005. 140:532-539. [Ref 3]
Warnatz K, et al. Severe deficiency of switched memory B cells (CD27+IgM-IgD-) in subgroups of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) - A new approach to classify a heterogenous disease. Blood. 2002. 99:1544-1551. [Ref 4]

---

Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.