BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuB and T cell screenE-rosetting; T and B lymphocyte assays; B and T lymphocyte assaysB and T cell screen is a laboratory test to determine the amount of B and T lymphocytes in the blood. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood could also be obtained by capillary sample (fingerstick or heel stick in infants).Capillary sampleA capillary sample is a blood sample collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After the blood is drawn, it goes through a two-step process. First, the lymphocytes are separated from other blood parts. Once the cells are separated, identifiers are added to distinguish between T and B cells. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your health care provider if you have had any of the following, which might affect your T and B cell count:Chemotherapy ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Recent or current infection Steroid therapy Stress StressStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Surgery How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test if you have signs of certain diseases that weaken the immune system. It may also be used to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous disease, particularly cancers that involve the blood and bone marrow.The test may also be used to determine how well treatment for certain conditions is working. Normal Results Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal B and T cell counts may suggest a possible disease. Further testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.An increased T cell count may be due to:Cancer of white blood cells called lymphoblasts (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) Acute lymphoblastic leukemiaAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. ALL occurs when the bone marrow produ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) Chronic lymphocytic leukemiaChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are found in the bone marrow and other p...Read Article Now Book Mark Article A viral infection called infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow (multiple myeloma) Multiple myelomaMultiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bone...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) Toxoplasmosis, an infection due to a parasite Tuberculosis An increased B cell count may be due to:Chronic lymphocytic leukemia DiGeorge syndrome Multiple myeloma Waldenström macroglobulinemiaWaldenström macroglobulinemiaWaldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). WM is associated with the overproduction of protei...Read Article Now Book Mark Article A decreased T cell count may be due to:Congenital T-cell deficiency disease, such as Nezelof syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Acquired T-cell deficiency states, such as HIV infection or HTLV-1 infection B cell proliferative disorders, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenström macroglobulinemia A decreased B cell count may be due to:HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Immunodeficiency disorders Immunodeficiency disordersImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment with certain medicines Risks Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)Open ReferencesReferencesLiebman HA, Tulpule A. Hematologic manifestations of HIV/AIDS. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 157.Riley RS, Mageau R, Ben-Ezra J. Laboratory evaluation of the cellular immune system. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.AllVideoImagesTog Tests for B and T cell screen B and T cell screenQuadruple screen testGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase testRelated Information Benign(Special Topic)Mononucleosis(Condition)Multiple myeloma(Condition)Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)(Condition)Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)(Condition)Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia(Condition)Immune response(Special Topic)Acute lymphocytic leukemia - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 12/4/2022 Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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B and T cell screenE-rosetting; T and B lymphocyte assays; B and T lymphocyte assaysB and T cell screen is a laboratory test to determine the amount of B and T lymphocytes in the blood. How the Test is Performed A blood sample is needed. Blood sample is neededVenipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood could also be obtained by capillary sample (fingerstick or heel stick in infants).Capillary sampleA capillary sample is a blood sample collected by pricking the skin. Capillaries are tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin.Read Article Now Book Mark Article After the blood is drawn, it goes through a two-step process. First, the lymphocytes are separated from other blood parts. Once the cells are separated, identifiers are added to distinguish between T and B cells. How to Prepare for the Test Tell your health care provider if you have had any of the following, which might affect your T and B cell count:Chemotherapy ChemotherapyThe term chemotherapy is used to describe cancer-killing drugs. Chemotherapy may be used to:Cure the cancerShrink the cancerPrevent the cancer from ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Radiation therapy Radiation therapyRadiation therapy uses high-powered radiation (such as x-rays or gamma rays), particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Recent or current infection Steroid therapy Stress StressStress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension. It can come from any event or thought that makes you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Stres...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Surgery How the Test will Feel When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test if you have signs of certain diseases that weaken the immune system. It may also be used to distinguish between cancerous and noncancerous disease, particularly cancers that involve the blood and bone marrow.The test may also be used to determine how well treatment for certain conditions is working. Normal Results Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal B and T cell counts may suggest a possible disease. Further testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.An increased T cell count may be due to:Cancer of white blood cells called lymphoblasts (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) Acute lymphoblastic leukemiaAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a fast-growing cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. ALL occurs when the bone marrow produ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Cancer of white blood cells called lymphocytes (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) Chronic lymphocytic leukemiaChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is cancer of a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are found in the bone marrow and other p...Read Article Now Book Mark Article A viral infection called infectious mononucleosis Infectious mononucleosisMononucleosis, or mono, is a viral infection that causes fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, most often in the neck.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow (multiple myeloma) Multiple myelomaMultiple myeloma is a blood cancer that starts in the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside most bone...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) Toxoplasmosis, an infection due to a parasite Tuberculosis An increased B cell count may be due to:Chronic lymphocytic leukemia DiGeorge syndrome Multiple myeloma Waldenström macroglobulinemiaWaldenström macroglobulinemiaWaldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a cancer of the B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). WM is associated with the overproduction of protei...Read Article Now Book Mark Article A decreased T cell count may be due to:Congenital T-cell deficiency disease, such as Nezelof syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, or Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Acquired T-cell deficiency states, such as HIV infection or HTLV-1 infection B cell proliferative disorders, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or Waldenström macroglobulinemia A decreased B cell count may be due to:HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDSHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Immunodeficiency disorders Immunodeficiency disordersImmunodeficiency disorders occur when the body's immune response is reduced or absent.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment with certain medicines Risks Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:Excessive bleeding Fainting or feeling lightheaded Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin) Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)Open ReferencesReferencesLiebman HA, Tulpule A. Hematologic manifestations of HIV/AIDS. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 157.Riley RS, Mageau R, Ben-Ezra J. Laboratory evaluation of the cellular immune system. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.