Measuring CD4 T-cells is important in helping healthcare providers determine the stage and likely outcome of HIV infection.
There are two main types of lymphocytes: B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes.
The lower the absolute CD4 count, the weaker the immune response.
Jim Gathany / Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
HIV-negative people typically have absolute CD4 counts between 600 and 1200 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter.
Clearly, the higher the percentage, the more robust the immune response.
The CD4/CD8 percentage helps healthcare practitioners see this.
In recent years, greater emphasis has been placed on the CD4/CD8 dynamic in theaging HIV population.
2016;95(42):e5094.
