The enumeration of lymphocyte subsets is important in a variety of conditions such as primary immunodeficiency (eg Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / SCID) or the monitoring of drug therapies such as rituximab in autoimmune disorders. However the most common use is in the monitoring Human Immunodeficiency Virus / HIV, a secondary immunodeficiency disorder.
To ensure that the programme meets the requirements of all users the programme issues stabilised whole blood with laboratories required to determine the lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD3+/CD4+, CD3+/CD8+, CD19+ and CD16+/56+).
Laboratories are requested to report both percentage and absolute values (in cells per microlitre), and performance is monitored using this data, unless a centre chooses to eschew either parameter in which case they would not be performance monitored for the relevant parameters. Two samples are issued per trial and this programme issues trials a minimum of 4 times per annum and a maximum of 6.
No activities in relation to this EQA programme are subcontracted.
To register for this programme, please click here.
As of 1st April 2017 CD19 and CD16/CD56 will be subject to performance monitoring.
It is essential that your testing repertoire is updated accordingly during re-registration to reflect current working practices for lymphocyte subsets.
Failure to provide this update could result in classification as a non-return if results for these parameters are not submitted.