Description
Why It’s Done:
The CD3 test is used for several purposes:
• Diagnosing immune system disorders, such as T-cell immunodeficiencies or autoimmune diseases.
• Evaluating T-cell function and the immune status in patients with suspected immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases.
• Monitoring patients with HIV/AIDS to assess the status of their immune system, as T-cell counts (specifically CD3+ T-cells) are crucial in the progression of the disease.
• Diagnosing hematological cancers like T-cell leukemia or lymphoma, as the CD3 marker is often found on the surface of malignant T-cells.
• Post-transplantation monitoring to evaluate immune system recovery and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) risk.
Preparation:
• No special preparation is required for the CD3 test.
• Inform your healthcare provider about any medications, particularly immunosuppressive drugs, which may affect the test results.
• A blood sample is typically collected from a vein in your arm for flow cytometry analysis.


