Immunological blood test: deciphering the indicators. Immunological blood test: what it shows, decoding, the role of circulating immunocomplexes Immunology blood test decoding

The function of the immune system is to protect the human body from possible diseases. In order to properly assess its condition, it is necessary to conduct a special study.

Immunity analysis helps to adequately assess the state of the immune system, both comprehensively and based on the assessment of several parameters.

Immunity - role

Immunogram

The baby's intrauterine development contributes to its complete protection. At birth, children do not have a good immune system, which is why illnesses and viral diseases are often observed in infancy. As the child grows older, his body gets stronger. Medicines and intervention by qualified specialists are necessary if the body’s natural response to harmful microorganisms is not enough.

If the functionality of the immune system is weakened, it is recommended to conduct an immunological study.

Cerebrospinal fluid is used as a separate biological material. Thus, this analysis procedure is completed. The assessment takes place of several characteristics, or in a complex manner. In the latter version, experts evaluate “Immunoglobulins A, M, G.” If we consider each analysis separately, then their cost will be much higher than conducting a comprehensive study.

What is an immunogram

Purpose of analysis

An analysis of immune status is carried out in certain cases. In particular, this concerns high susceptibility to various types of diseases. These can be not only viral, but also chemical and radiation damage to the body. Immune cells are seriously affected at this time and are locally affected.

Most often, a qualified specialist prescribes this study in the following cases:

• for chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, or other manifestations of pathological changes;
• pronounced immunodeficiency. The doctor, regardless of how the patient feels, what diseases accompany this disease, prescribes a study;
• The reason for the appointment is oncological diseases, malignant and benign tumors. As cancer develops, abundant release of antibodies is observed. They are actively used to defeat cancer cells. The difficulty is that malignant cells divide several times faster than antibodies. This is fraught with a significant weakening of the body’s protective function and its vulnerability;
• for diseases in the gastrointestinal tract of a chronic nature, this procedure is prescribed;
• the presence of diseases associated with metabolic processes. These disorders include, for example, diabetes mellitus. Such patients suffer from a slow tissue healing process, frequent inflammatory processes;
• exhaustion of the body is the reason for which the analysis is carried out. In general, this human condition is observed when changing the nutritional system and restricting food. This applies to following a strict diet, a certain course. For example, veganism, which implies a complete rejection of animal products;
• weight loss in a short period of time requires this study;
• Before transplantation of certain organs takes place, and after the procedure, immunology is performed;
• Stressful situations have a significant impact on the normal functioning of the body. In this situation, chronic fatigue syndrome is observed, which is why experts recommend undergoing research.

It is worth monitoring the state of your immune system. The danger lies in the fact that many pathogenic organisms do not show proper activity. All this provokes a decrease in the functional functioning of the immune system, the body becomes vulnerable to the occurrence of disease.

Study parameters

A certain parameter indicates the direction that a specialist follows in order to fully characterize the state of the body.

Important! An immunologist can fully decipher the analysis, identify abnormalities, and then prescribe a course of therapy.

There are a number of special parameters by which a person’s condition is determined.

Blood from a vein

Evaluation of results

In order to diagnose a specific disease as accurately as possible, a specialist considers each individual parameter. Thus, the doctor assesses the patient’s condition in a timely manner, tracks the path of the disease, and prescribes an effective course of treatment.

Using the level of leukocytes, a lack of one or another blood body is detected. Due to their activity, it is possible to determine the ability to absorb pathogenic organisms and fight them.

Interpretation of immunogram results

The study determines the functional capacity of the immune system as a whole.

conclusions

Taking this test helps determine the ability of the immune system to fight pathogenic organisms. The specialist evaluates each individual group of parameters based on its results. As a result of these actions, the disease is diagnosed in time and a course of treatment is prescribed.

To take the test, you should give up alcohol and smoking the day before. Do not eat 12 hours before the procedure. The donation takes place in the morning, on an empty stomach. Experts also recommend minimizing physical activity and reducing emotional stress, which also affects the final results of the study.

The human body, like all animals and even plants inhabiting our planet, is a system that does not allow alien genetic information and alien biochemical processes into its metabolism. The internal environment of the body is characterized by constancy, and all extraneous living agents, such as pathogenic microbes, viruses, protozoa, helminths, try to constantly be detected and removed from the body. This is why there is a large and complex immune defense system.

It consists, for example, of humoral immunity, which produces various antibodies, and cellular immunity, a typical representative of which is macrophages - phagocytic leukocytes. Modern immunological studies are extremely diverse. These are, for example, blood tests for immunity such as:

• assessment of the quality of phagocytosis;
• quantitative and qualitative;
• identification of various components of the complement system;
• assessment of interferon status as part of the body’s antiviral activity;
• study of lymphocyte subpopulations, their quantitative and qualitative components;
• in some cases, sensitivity to certain immune drugs is assessed.

As you can see, in order to conduct an immunity test, the doctor needs to know and be able to navigate a variety of indicators, but the patient cannot always turn to an immunologist, and, moreover, it is not always necessary to start an immunological study immediately with an appointment with an immunologist. For the sake of curiosity, on our website you can take a test by answering questions and. But this is of course not a real study.

How to check the immunity of an adult patient or child initially, or, as experts say, perform a screening test? To do this, a primary blood test for immunity or an immunogram is taken. What can a modern laboratory do, and what indicators can be found using an immunogram?

Main immunogram indicators

Any modern laboratory offers various options for conducting an immunogram, but there are generally accepted international standards for this immunological blood test. Each immunogram “probes” the state of various parts, or links, of the immune system. These data may be a reason to subsequently conduct more specific, expensive and serious immunological tests. They will help more accurately diagnose various immunodeficiency conditions, autoimmune diseases such as psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, acute and chronic infections, blood diseases and various lymphoproliferative diseases that indicate insufficient antitumor immunity

A standard immunogram analysis involves identifying the following indicators:

• calculations are made of the total number of lymphocytes and their varieties, such as helpers, suppressors, cytotoxic lymphocytes;
• determination of the immunoregulatory index (IRI), or the ratio of the number of T-lymphocytes within their populations;
• Identification of NK cells;
• The determination of B lymphocytes and plasma cells that produce antibodies is carried out;
• when conducting an immunological blood test, a determination of phagocytic activity is required, both among leukocytes and lymphocytes (monocyte activity);
• identification of circulating immune complexes, which consist of immunoglobulins of various classes - Ig G, A, M, E and other subtypes.

What do all the above-described immunological studies included in the immunogram mean?

In this article we will not talk in detail about the basics of immunology. Let's just say that:

• T - lymphocytes are immune cells that control the formation of antibodies, and they, in turn, are the basis of humoral anti-infective immunity, and are responsible for immunity in adults and children to various infections;
• B - lymphocytes, in response to antigens, are able to transform into plasma cells and produce antibodies;
• natural killer cells (NK) are a special type of immune cells that engage in cytotoxic reactions and directly destroy foreign microorganisms;
• as for phagocytic activity, it is determined by conducting a control destruction of special fluorescently labeled bacteria, this indicator allows you to evaluate the reserve capacity of phagocytic activity, and the ability of these blood cells to destroy and digest foreign microorganisms;
• A very important immunological blood test, which is part of the immunogram, is the identification of circulating immune complexes. The resulting complexes, for example, in autoimmune pathology, are able to migrate from the bloodstream to peripheral tissues and be deposited around blood vessels, in the skin, kidney tissue, where they exhibit various activities, which lead to the fixation of complement, and this causes damage to the parenchyma of various organs.

As a result, a patient with identified immune complexes often develops glomerulonephritis, arthritis, and nerve damage. The detection of circulating immune complexes must necessarily be accompanied by other tests, for example, a detailed study of the complement system, as well as a study of the function of the relevant organs, for example, in case of suspected kidney damage, it is necessary to examine and conduct a general urine test and provide the doctor with a Rehberg test.

Finally, identifying the concentration of individual types of immunoglobulins can not only tell us about the dynamics of the development of the infectious process, but also how to distinguish the acute stage of the disease from the chronic one, but also draw conclusions about the presence of an allergic component, about the difference between the body’s allergic reaction and the infectious inflammatory process.

For example, multiple myeloma, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, alcoholism and chronic purulent infections are characterized by an increase in the content, and a decrease in its levels is characteristic of atopic dermatitis, pernicious anemia, or against the background of long-term use of corticosteroid hormones.

Immunological studies and their deviations must, of course, be assessed by an immunologist, and the therapist who prescribed the immunological test must refer the patient to a specialist for further consultation. Typically, the turnaround time for this analysis does not exceed, on average, 8 days. What are the most common indications for which a screening immunogram is performed in clinical practice?

Indications for prescribing an immunogram

Most often, a doctor determines the state of the body’s immune defense in the following cases:

• various long-term chronic infectious diseases that are not sensitive to therapy or recur;
• when diagnosing immunodeficiency, congenital or acquired, HIV infection;
• when there is a chronic allergy;
• Hereditary predisposition to cancer and malignant neoplasms;
• if necessary, organ transplantation;
• in case of an upcoming complex or lengthy operation;
• in case of complications developing after organ transplantation and after surgical interventions;
• when treated with certain drugs - hormones, cytostatics, immunosuppressants and other drugs that affect the immune system.

Of course, there are other indications for which immunological blood tests are performed, but these indications can be determined, for example, through the joint work of specialized specialists, for example, a rheumatologist and a clinical immunologist.

How to prepare for immunological analysis

Immunological research involves elucidating the numerous and subtle relationships between various parts of the immune system, which can easily be changed if you behave incorrectly. Therefore, preparation for the immunogram is required, although small, but it must be strictly observed. First of all, blood is donated in the morning and strictly on an empty stomach, and the overnight fast should not be less than 8 hours.

Two to three days before donating blood, it is advisable to lead a calm lifestyle, try not to worry, physical activity should not go beyond the usual, so it is better to exclude sports training. It is also necessary to stop drinking all types of alcohol at least two days in advance, and it is better not to smoke. If you cannot stop smoking, then a blood test should be carried out at least an hour after smoking a cigarette.

Immunogram interpretation

We will not try to completely decipher the immunological analysis, and this is not required. Instead, we will simply look at the grossest changes that indicate that the blood test for an immunogram needs to be retaken. In the same case, if they turn out to be the same, then a serious and in-depth study will be necessary. These are the indicators:

• a reduced concentration of lymphocytes in the blood may indicate the presence of a chronic viral infection, and a decrease in T-helper cells may indicate HIV infection;
• if a violation of the T-cell immunity is detected, then an in-depth study of HIV infection and AIDS is necessary;
• if an immunological analysis showed a violation in the leukocyte immunity, then we can talk about acute inflammation, or an acute purulent infection, especially if against this background the indicators of phagocytosis decrease;
• if a sharply increased value of , which are responsible for allergies, then this may indicate either an increased allergic background, for example, when grasses bloom, if the patient has hay fever, or indicates the presence of helminthic infestation, this is especially typical for children;
• if the patient has had it for a long time, this may indicate recovery from a long-term infectious disease, or the presence of malignant neoplasms that need to be specifically looked for.

As can be seen from the above, immunological blood tests are a powerful tool for assessing the body's resistance to various internal and external stimuli, but they must be used with skill. In the event that a patient, for example, has a high amount of immunoglobulins, but does not have any history or clinical symptoms, then he will have to undergo a long clinical and laboratory examination. Therefore, it is better to tell the doctor from the very beginning about all the diseases that could exist or have existed before, about allergies, injuries, and the state of health of relatives and friends. A competent specialist will definitely take the time to find out the necessary details.

We briefly discussed what it is - an immunological blood test. It must be remembered that modern immunology has a large arsenal of various studies, and an ordinary, standard immunogram is only the most initial analysis, which allows you to see only the “tip of the iceberg”. But this elite speaks about such important disorders that every person can take an immunogram simply in order to gain certain knowledge about the state of their own immunity. This knowledge will never hurt, and sometimes will help identify dangerous diseases.

Immunity is one of the main human abilities to resist the harmful effects of external pathogens. The body is constantly attacked by various pathogenic microorganisms. In the normal state of the immune system, negative effects do not harm health, and the harmful effects are completely suppressed due to the protective function. To determine the body’s readiness to resist attacks from pathogenic organisms, an immunogram analysis is prescribed, the decoding of which allows one to assess the correct functioning of the human defense system.

An immunological blood test, also called an immunity test, is carried out using various techniques. The study of immune status and the method of execution depend on the parameters being studied. The following methods are distinguished: enzyme immunoassay, immunochemical, immunohematological, radioimmunoassay, chemiluminescent immunoassay and others. Each study differs in the methods used and the components in the plasma studied. For example, radioimmunoassay involves recording results using radioactivity counters.

An immunohematological blood test is prescribed to determine the blood group, Rh factor, as well as assess the functioning of cellular and humoral immunity.

An immunochemical blood test involves studying the level of immunoglobulins and hormones that affect reproductive function. The doctor may also prescribe an extended immunogram, which examines the following components of the defense system: leukocytes, phagocytes, cells of the lymphocytic group, as well as immunoglobulins of classes A, M, G, complement components and circulating immune complexes (CIC).

There is a large list of indications, in the presence of which a blood test is performed to determine the immune status. How to test immunity, which method should be determined by the doctor, based on complaints and symptoms. Indications for donating blood for an immunogram are the following pathological disorders:

A mandatory indication for analysis of immune status is preparation for organ transplantation, especially in a child. Immunohematology plays an important role for donors in plasma transfusions. The doctor may also order a test to determine physiological changes in the defense system, for example in pregnant women, the elderly and children.

What indicators are studied during an immunogram?

To understand what an immunogram is, it is enough to consider its significance in diagnosis and the components studied during the analysis. An immunological blood test involves a comprehensive study of indicators that allow us to assess the body’s ability to resist the effects of harmful pathogens. The doctor must decipher the results obtained, since it is necessary to consider not only the meaning of individual numbers, but also their relationship. A blood test for immunity is prescribed for both adult patients and children. During the study, the following indicators are studied:

Decoding the immunology test allows the doctor to get a complete picture of the state of the defense system. If the indicators deviate from the norm, the doctor may prescribe additional diagnostic methods (MRI, ultrasound, CT, angiography and others) to confirm the diagnosis. Immunological blood tests and interpretation of the results also involve comparing the data with complaints and previously diagnosed pathologies, both in the patient himself and in close relatives.

Acceptable values ​​and reasons for deviation

The immunogram and interpretation of its results includes a cumulative assessment of several indicators simultaneously, and not one specific one separately. It is through the study of the immunoglobulin (protein) complex that it is possible to assess the state of the human defense system, as well as detect pathological disorders. Deviation of immunogram analysis results occurs in the following conditions:

This list presents only the most common indicators studied during an immunogram. When referring for analysis, the doctor, based on the patient’s complaints and existing symptoms, selects the level of which antibodies need to be tested. If the results are abnormal, the doctor must prescribe treatment. Self-therapy can make the situation worse.

Immunity analysis is a highly informative diagnostic method and allows you to assess the correct functioning of the protective system, as well as the functioning of individual organs and systems. As a rule, the study is carried out as prescribed by a doctor if there are complaints of deterioration in health. If you personally wish, you can check your immunity yourself. If the results of the analysis reveal a discrepancy with the norm, the attending doctor prescribes treatment aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and strengthening the protective function.

Update: December 2018

A complete immune test is not a routine test. Due to the high cost of reagents and the need for special equipment, an immunogram can only be done in large multidisciplinary hospitals or private medical laboratories. Despite this, the procedure may be required for any person who has shown signs of immunodeficiency without any obvious reasons, such as HIV, diabetes, cancer, etc.

Most often, an immunogram is required for children of preschool and school age, since it is during this period of life that a number of hereditary diseases “debut” occur.

What is an immunogram?

This is a special blood test that allows you to assess the number of different immune cells, the antibodies they produce and a number of other substances that indicate the state of the body's defense systems. Depending on the purpose of the study and the capabilities of the laboratory, the number of parameters studied can vary significantly. An extended study allows you to study more than 25 different indicators - such an analysis reveals even hidden violations that cannot be detected by standard methods.

Human immunity can be divided into two parts: “slow” (humoral) and “fast” (cellular). The fast link reacts almost immediately after the pathogen (virus, fungus, bacteria, protozoa, etc.) enters the body. The task of this group of cells includes the following functions:

1. Absorb and “digest” a malicious agent;
2. Present or “tell” about a pathogenic microorganism to other immune cells that cannot detect it on their own;
3. Destroy the largest number of identified microbes;
4. Fighting various tumors and autoimmune processes is another important function of the immune system, which often does not allow the body to cope with the disease on its own.

After the “fast” link has absorbed the foreign body and told the “slow” link about it, the slow process of creating and releasing antibodies into the blood begins. Antibodies are substances that destroy a specific type of pathogenic agent. They are very specific and, in most cases, help the body finally cope with the existing disease. On average, the duration of their creation is 2-3 weeks.

The immunogram indicators reflect the work of each of the defense links. It is on the basis of their changes that a conclusion is made about the absence/presence of immunodeficiency, about the variant of the disorder and the optimal method of therapy.

In some cases, the doctor may recommend supplementing the analysis with a study of the content of interleukins in the blood - these are special substances that ensure the interconnection of various components of defense systems. If their production is disrupted, immunodeficiency states can also form.

Indications

1. Frequent severe infectious diseases, especially in children of preschool and school age. At the moment, there is no consensus on what is considered “frequent” and “severe” infections. However, you should begin to suspect problems with immunity in the following situations:
   1. ARVI in children of mild and moderate severity more often than 5-6 times a year;
   2. In adults (except for elderly people) – more than 3 times a year;
2. The presence in the past of episodes of the following diseases: necrotizing tonsillitis, erysipelas, candidal oropharyngitis, systemic herpetic infection, atypical pneumonia (mycoplasma, chlamydia, pneumocystis), any fungal diseases in children (except for toenail fungus);
3. Detection of a low level of leukocytes in the blood without any obvious reason: a previous viral infection, the presence of an autoimmune or oncological disease, secondary immunodeficiencies (HIV, diabetes, aplastic anemia, consequences of taking certain medications, etc.). The leukocyte norm for people over 15 years of age: from 4 to 9 * 10 9 cells/liter. When testing blood in children, it is necessary to use age-specific standards.

Before examining the immunogram, it is necessary to exclude the presence of secondary immunodeficiencies, which were listed above. They can be detected quite simply using routine blood tests, and the cost will be significantly lower than testing the function of leukocytes and other phagocytes.

Preparation for the procedure

To obtain objective results, it is necessary to act correctly before drawing blood. To do this, just follow these simple rules:

1. It is better to undergo the examination in the morning, on an empty stomach. If this is not possible, it is permissible to donate blood at any other time after a 4-hour period of fasting;
2. It is not recommended to drink alcohol, caffeine-containing drinks, or energy drinks for 3 hours before the test. Water and weak tea can be drunk without restrictions;
3. Several hours before the procedure, you should not smoke or be in the presence of a person who smokes;
4. Immediately before donating blood, significant physical activity (running, lifting weights, playing sports), contrasting water treatments, hypothermia/overheating of the body should be excluded;
5. To obtain the most information, it is best to carry out an immunogram for a child and an adult during a period of complete health. During illness, the body will react to damage to its own tissues or to infection, so it is quite difficult to draw a conclusion about the blood picture.

Norm

Deciphering an immunogram is much more difficult than analyzing a regular blood test. This study includes a large number of indicators that not only need to be compared with existing standards, but also analyzed in their entirety. However, first of all, it is necessary to know the normal values.

They may differ slightly in different laboratories. This is due to the use of various tools, diagnostic methods and reagents. As a rule, immunogram norms are given on the sheet with the examination results. If they are absent, we suggest using the following immunogram table:

Click to enlarge

Principles for deciphering results

The analysis of the immunogram must be carried out by a specialist qualified as an immunologist. In this case, the probability of obtaining the correct conclusion is extremely high. The doctor conducts a comprehensive assessment of all parameters in order to determine the presence/absence of problems in the cellular or humoral immunity. Further treatment tactics, the method of maintaining immunity and the prevention of frequent infections will depend on this.

• In most cases, a decrease in the cellular or fast pathway is a sign of a problem with T cell activation or production.
• The exception is the number of T-suppressors - a decrease in a person’s protective functions will be indicated by an increase in this pool of cells. Such results obtained when interpreting an immunogram in children are often a sign of primary T-cell immunodeficiency. This is a group of congenital diseases in which the body cannot “repel attacks” of hostile microorganisms in a timely and sufficiently good manner.
• Problems in the humoral link will be indicated by a reduced number of B cells and immunoglobulins (except for IgE, which is responsible for the development of allergies). It should be remembered that only a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of B-lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce (immunoglobulins) is significant.

Other indicators make it possible to clarify the nature of the disorders and confirm the expected diagnosis. It must be emphasized once again that only an immunologist can correctly interpret this complex analysis.

Determination of the degree of immune disorders

There are a large number of approaches to assess the patient's condition. Some of them offer calculation of the number of diseases taking into account their severity per year, others are purely calculation methods. Using an immunogram, you can also determine the severity of disorders of the humoral and cellular components or evaluate the effectiveness of treatment over a certain amount of time.

To do this you need to use the following formula:

((Pathological indicator of the patient / Norm of this indicator) – 1) * 100%

The number of B cells, Cytotoxic cells or T helper cells is most often used as the parameter being studied. If the result obtained is negative, the severity of the disorders and the need for active drug therapy can be determined:

Reasons for false results

In addition to the innate characteristics of immunity, there are a large number of pathologies that lead to changes in analysis parameters. In order not to get confused, you need to understand what the immunogram actually shows. It reflects the number and condition of various groups of leukocytes and phagocytes - blood cells and internal organs responsible for protecting the body.

Traditionally, an immunogram is used to identify hereditary immune disorders. Therefore, before carrying out it, it is necessary to exclude the presence of the most common conditions that can also have a negative impact on a person’s natural defenses. These include:

• Malignant tumors of any organ;
• Autoimmune diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma and lupus, various systemic vasculitis (including Behcet's disease, microscopic and giant cell vasculitis, periarteritis nodosa, etc.);
• Viral diseases, including HIV, “blood” hepatitis;
• Severe intoxication: alcohol, drugs, industrial hazardous substances, poisons, etc.;
• Aplastic anemia is a group of diseases in which the growth and maturation of all blood cells is impaired;
• Consequences of radiation exposure.

It is also necessary to remember that the cause of a false increase or decrease in parameters may be improper preparation for blood donation. Only after excluding all of the above conditions can we talk about the presence of primary immunodeficiency. A medical genetic study can be used as a confirmatory test.

“Myths” about immunity

Fresh fruits and vegetables will improve weakened immunity

Undoubtedly, these products are useful for many diseases. In particular, they are a source of plant fiber, which stimulates normal digestion. With atrophy of the gastric mucosa, they improve the secretion of digestive juices and help in processing food. However, the amount of vitamins obtained from fruits and vegetables is extremely small and cannot help treat immune disorders;

Identified immunodeficiency in a child does not need to be treated; it will go away on its own after puberty.

This opinion is very common not only among the population, but also among a certain group of doctors. Such a judgment is very dangerous - the question of the need for treatment in each individual case is decided by an immunologist. And if the risk of frequent and severe infections exceeds the risk of side effects from medications (which are quite rare), therapy is necessary for the child;

Immunomodulators are absolutely useless in the treatment of immunodeficiencies

Several years ago, a large study was conducted that confirmed that the use of immunomodulators reduces the duration of treatment for ARVI by only 1 day or less. That is, they have a completely insignificant effect. This argument is often used by some doctors and patients, justifying their refusal to use them for primary immunodeficiencies. Does anything in this argument bother you?

• First, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on duration of treatment, but not on prevention occurrence of infectious diseases.
• Secondly, it was carried out on healthy people who did not suffer from immunodeficiencies. If you study foreign literature and the results of suitable research works, you can find the following information. Immunomodulators have relatively little effectiveness, but they prevent the development of severe and frequent infections in people with primary immunodeficiencies, and also reduce the likelihood of death.

At the moment, there are other, more effective medicines abroad to maintain the body’s defense systems. Their price alone is many times higher, and availability in Russia is extremely limited. Therefore, immunomodulators, lysates of microorganisms, interferon preparations are one of the options for treating these diseases in the Russian Federation.

HIV must be diagnosed using an immunogram

Undoubtedly, with prolonged exposure to the immunodeficiency virus, the number of CD4+ cells decreases. It is by this indicator that the severity of the disease and the likelihood of developing deadly infections associated with AIDS and HIV are often assessed. However, to diagnose this infection it is necessary to use more specific methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting.

An immunogram is one of the types of human blood tests that are carried out quite often. But since this analysis is usually carried out in combination with others, patients do not always know what kind of study it is and why it is necessary. What is an immunological blood test and what does its interpretation mean? What parameters of the body’s functioning does it study, and what diseases can be identified with its help? In addition to these questions, the patient also needs to know whether there are contraindications and how to properly prepare for the study.

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The answer to this question lies in the name of this analysis - it is a study of the functioning of the immune system. Protective functions are the most important and complex system of the human body. How successfully the immune system copes with its work determines whether a person will get sick, how severe and long the disease will progress, and what are the chances of successfully and completely overcoming it.

The main task of the immune system is to neutralize viruses and infections that enter the body from the environment. If it is weakened and does not work at full strength, harmful organisms easily penetrate tissues and organs, causing inflammatory processes and serious illnesses. To assess and understand how well the immune system is doing its job and whether it needs help, an immunogram is prescribed.

The main “defenders” of health and derivatives of the immune system are leukocytes or white blood cells. During the analysis, the laboratory technician will be able to determine whether their quantity corresponds to the “norm” parameter and assess how successfully they cope with their task. Thanks to this study, it is possible to diagnose a large number of different disorders in the functioning of the human body, especially allergies or immune deficiency. data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://ikchel.ru/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/imunnogramma_2.jpg" alt="allergies" width="640" height="480"> !}

For what symptoms is an immunity test prescribed?

There are a number of diseases and disorders for which an immunological blood test is mandatory and priority. First of all, an immunogram is the first study performed after a human organ transplant, especially in children. Normal immunity is also important after a course of chemotherapy or radiation for patients who have had cancer. If a person has been treated with immunosuppressants for a long time, the normal functioning of the patient’s defense system may also decrease, and an analysis of its strength is also included in the list of mandatory examinations.

Diagnoses that require regular immunograms include primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, existing human immunodeficiency virus or suspicion of its presence. Often, a blood test for immune status is performed on people who often suffer from serious illnesses that weaken their health. Such diagnoses include:

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• chronic inflammation;
• persistent fungal infections;
• pustular lesions of the skin.

If a doctor suspects a patient has a malignant tumor or an autoimmune disease, then the level of immunity is also examined through laboratory tests.

It is possible to conduct an immunogram while waiting for the baby. During pregnancy, deciphering the immune analysis will tell you about the health status of the expectant mother if she suffers from HIV infection. Also, indications for conducting a study on the state of immunity are such pathologies during pregnancy as repeated disruption of the interaction between the tissues of the female body and the fetus itself. An immunogram is also required in case of Rh conflict between mother and child (positive in the fetus, negative in the mother).

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In this case, the level of antibodies is examined monthly, and if necessary, the mother is given a special serum that normalizes the functioning of both organisms.

Mandatory indications for testing for immunity status are:

• frequent relapses of herpes infection;
• cytomegalovirus infection;
• strong emotional shocks;
• prolonged depression;
• prolonged postpartum depression;
• emotional trauma in women while expecting a baby.

To study the state of the patient’s defense system, venous blood is taken from the ulnar vein. The immunogram does not require any complex or special preparations; standard preparation is sufficient.

You need to take the test in the morning; before the procedure you should not eat, smoke or drink strong coffee or tea; it is better to limit yourself to clean water without gas. In some clinics, capillary blood (sampling of biomaterial from a finger) is sufficient for diagnosis, but more often venous blood is used. After taking the plasma, it is divided into two tubes and tested. In one test tube, the blood clots naturally after some time. The resulting clot is taken out of the test tube and examined.

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The second part of the blood is combined with special reagents so that it does not clot and remains in its natural state. Sometimes laboratory technicians may need to collect other human fluids - saliva, tears, spinal cord fluid, nasal mucus, etc.

Contraindications to the immunogram and its results

Unlike other blood tests, an immunogram has its contraindications. For women, these are critical days during which a strong hormonal release occurs, affecting the examination results.

This is due to the fact that during this period of time all the body’s forces are aimed at fighting harmful microorganisms, which means that the leukocyte rate is increased and the decoding will be incorrect.

To conduct an immunity test, the patient must undergo a course of treatment, recover, and then come to the laboratory. For women, it is enough to simply postpone the test date to a few days later.

The results of the analysis for the strength of immunity combine three key parameters.

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Each of these parameters is very important, both individually and in interaction with each other. By assessing these keys together, the doctor gets an overall picture of the state of the immune system.

When studying the first parameter, the norm of two types of lymphocytes is taken into account. T lymphocytes are responsible for stopping certain types of bacteria, fungi and viral cells. The ratio of T - and B-lymphocytes is reflected in the results of the analysis, while the norm of the former should be in the range of 50-70%, and the second: 6-20%; the task of B-lymphocytes is to start the process of synthesizing immunoglobulins that destroy the virus as soon as they encounter him in the human body.

The next task of the laboratory assistant studying the patient’s blood serum is to study the activity of each immunoglobulin and establish their norm. There are several types of immunoglobulins and they are responsible for the destruction of a certain type of harmful microorganisms. Thus, immunoglobulin A (IgA) neutralizes toxic substances and is involved in strengthening the mucous membranes of internal organs. Its norm in a healthy body is 0.5 to 2.0 IU/ml. During pregnancy, the expectant mother's body produces immunoglobulin M, which is also known as “early antibodies”, synthesized by the developing fetus.

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Phagocytic activity is a kind of connecting component between the first two parameters. If the first ones determined the amount of antibodies, then this functionality evaluates how effectively they cope with their task. To do this, in laboratory conditions, viral cells are “injected” into the blood, and then they observe how quickly leukocytes detect “strangers” and at what speed they begin to produce the corresponding immunoglobulins.

As soon as the patient receives the test results, he should immediately contact the attending physician who ordered the test. The doctor will correctly interpret the data, make a diagnosis and, if necessary, prescribe additional examinations and diagnostics.

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Once all procedures have been completed and their data deciphered, the final diagnosis will be made and therapeutic therapy will be selected. Usually, to strengthen the immune system, immunomodulatory drugs, physical procedures, and maintaining a correct lifestyle are prescribed. If weak immunity is the result of a disease, then the final restoration of the body’s defenses is possible only after the existing disease has been cured.

You can take an immunogram at a local clinic or at any private laboratory. In the second case, the results will be received earlier, but the analysis will be paid.