Skip to content

Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories

Memory B Cells


Test Code

MEMB

Description

MEMB measures naive, unswitched and switched memory B lymphocytes using direct immunofluorescence staining with specific monoclonal antibodies followed by analysis by flow cytometry. The test is useful for the assessment of B cell subsets in immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) comprises a clinically heterogeneous group of primary antibody immunodeficiency states. CVID patients are characterized by low levels of immunoglobulins (lgs), especially lgG and lgA, and by B lymphocyte percentages ranging from very low to normal. Populations of CD27+ memory B cells and increased percentages of undifferentiated (or unswitched) B cells may be observed in peripheral blood of patients with CVID.