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Updated: Oct 3, 2026
Flow Cytometric Characterization of Murine B Cell Development
Published on: January 22, 2021
Flow cytometric immunophenotyping in the diagnosis and follow-up of immunodeficient children
E de Vries1, J G Noordzij, T W Kuijpers
1Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Flow cytometry is an efficient tool for diagnosing primary immunodeficiency in children. This method aids in early recognition of conditions like antibody deficiencies and T-lymphocyte defects, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Flow Cytometry
Background:
- Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) present diverse clinical symptoms in children.
- Recurrent infections, failure to thrive, and opportunistic infections are common PIDs manifestations.
- Acquired immunodeficiency is also a growing concern in pediatric practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide guidance on using flow cytometric immunophenotyping for diagnosing and monitoring PIDs in children.
- To categorize diagnostic approaches based on four main clinical presentations of immunodeficiency.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of leukocytes.
- Classification of pediatric immunodeficiency into four clinical categories.
- Application of flow cytometry for diagnosis and follow-up.
Main Results:
- Flow cytometry offers an efficient and rapid method for diagnosing immunodeficient children.
- The technique supports early disease recognition, preventing severe infections.
- Diagnostic strategies are tailored to clinical categories, including antibody, T-lymphocyte, and granulocyte/monocyte deficiencies.
Conclusions:
- Flow cytometric immunophenotyping is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of pediatric immunodeficiency.
- Early detection through flow cytometry can significantly improve patient outcomes.
- Standardized approaches based on clinical presentation enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Abstract:
From time to time, paediatricians are confronted with children who might suffer from a primary immunodeficiency disease. For practical purposes, these children can be divided into four main clinical categories: (1) a relatively large group of children with recurrent ear-nose and throat and lower respiratory tract infections, in some cases caused by deficiencies of antibodies or complement; (2) children with failure to thrive, intractable diarrhoea or an opportunistic infection which can be caused by a T-lymphocyte or combined immunodeficiency; (3) children with infections with pyogenic bacteria or fungi as seen in case of granulocyte/monocyte function deficiency; and (4) a small heterogeneous group of children with recurrence of particular infections. Also, acquired immunodeficiency becomes a more common problem in paediatric practice. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping of leucocytes appears to be an efficient and rapid tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of immunodeficient patients, supporting early recognition, before serious infections have compromised the child's general condition. This technique can now be performed in many hospitals. In this review, we give directions for the use of flow cytometric immunophenotyping of leucocytes in the diagnosis and follow-up of immunodeficient children according to the four main clinical categories.
