The proportion of all T cells that are CD8 cells.
CD8 cells are also called cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. They help fight cancer and germs that live inside your cells (intracellular pathogens).
The CD8 percentage is sometimes more reliable than the absolute count of CD8 because it tends to vary less.
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An elevated percentage of CD8+ positive lymphocytes (% CD8+ Pos. Lymph.) typically indicates an increase in the proportion of a specific type of immune cell called CD8+ T cells in the bloodstream or in a tissue sample, such as from a blood test or a biopsy. CD8+ T cells, also known as cytotoxic T cells or killer T cells, play a crucial role in the immune response by targeting and destroying cells that have been infected by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens, as well as cells that have become cancerous.
An elevation in the percentage of CD8+ T cells could suggest several things:
Viral Infections: CD8+ T cells are a key component of the body's defense against viral infections. An increase in their percentage could indicate an ongoing or recent viral infection.
Bacterial Infections: While CD8+ T cells are more commonly associated with viral infections, they can also be involved in responses to certain bacterial infections.
Autoimmune Diseases: Some autoimmune diseases involve an overactive immune response where CD8+ T cells may contribute to tissue damage. An increase in CD8+ T cells might be observed in conditions like psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, or type 1 diabetes.
Cancer: CD8+ T cells are important in recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. An elevated percentage of CD8+ T cells might be seen in response to the body's attempt to combat cancer.
Immunological Responses: An elevation might be part of a normal immune response to an antigen challenge or immune activation due to various factors.
It's important to note that interpreting this result would require additional clinical context.
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