| differential white blood count | An estimate of the percentage of white blood cell types which make up the total white blood cell count. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| white blood cell differential | <haematology> The white blood cell differential is a percentage of each type of white blood cell based on a count of 100 white cells. A change in the white blood cell type (to neutrophils or bands) can indicate a bacterial infection. Neutrophils, bands, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils are all included. (13 Nov 1997) |
| b and t cell count | A test that measures the respective quantities of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. This test is often performed in the analysis of an immune deficiency disorder. Normal values include: 68 to 75% of total lymphocytes are T lymphocytes and 10 to 20% are B lymphocytes. Increased T-cell counts can indicate infectious mononucleosis, acute lymphocytic leukaemia or multiple myeloma. Increased B lymphocytes can indicate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia or Di George syndrome. Decreased T-cells may indicate congenital T-cell deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome or AIDS. Decreased B-cells may indicate acute lymphocytic leukaemia or a congenital immunoglobulin deficiency disorder. (27 Sep 1997) |
| blood cell count | A count of the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes per unit volume in a sample of venous blood. A complete blood count (cbc) also includes measurement of the haemoglobin, haematocrit, and erythrocyte indices. (12 Dec 1998) |
| red blood cell count | A normal value is 4.6-6.2 million RBC's per cubic millimetre of blood. This number can increase in cases of dehydration (fluid loss) or severe lung disease. Interestingly, red blood cell counts are much higher in those who live at high altitude, because of the increased demand for oxygen carrying capacity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| viable cell count | Number of cells in a given area or volume that are thriving. (05 Mar 2000) |
| CD4 cell count | The most commonly used surrogate marker for assessing the state of the immune system. As CD4 cell count declines, the risk of developing opportunistic infections increases. The normal range for CD4 cell counts is 500 to 1500 per cubic millimetre of blood. CD4 count should be rechecked at least every six to twelve months if CD4s are greater than 500/mm3. If the count is lower, testing every three months is advised. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cell count | A count of the number of cells of a specific kind, usually measured per unit volume of sample. (12 Dec 1998) |
| white blood cell count | <haematology> A laboratory test which measures the number of white blood cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Normal white blood cell counts are variable with age and sex. Normal adult range is 4, 500 to 11,000 cells per cubic millimetre of blood. Slightly higher counts are seen in children. Elevated counts can be seen in cases of inflammation and infection. (13 Nov 1997) |
| total cell count | Number of cells in a given area or volume. (05 Mar 2000) |
| automated differential leukocyte counter | An instrument using digital imaging or cytochemical techniques to differentiate leukocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Begg light wire differential force technique | An orthodontic appliance utilizing small gauge labial wires with expansion and contraction loops formed into it and attached to bands fitted to individual teeth; sometimes called Begg light wire differential force technique. (05 Mar 2000) |
| calorimetry, differential scanning | Differential thermal analysis in which the sample compartment of the apparatus is a differential calorimeter, allowing an exact measure of the heat of transition independent of the specific heat, thermal conductivity, and other variables of the sample. (12 Dec 1998) |
| semantic differential | Analysis of word concepts by the association of polar adjectives, e.g., good-bad, with the concept, father. The adjectives are usually scaled in 7 steps. The subject's placement of the concept on the adjectival scale indicates the connotative meaning of the concept. (12 Dec 1998) |
| diagnosis, differential | The determination of which two or more diseases with similar symptoms is the one from which a patient is suffering from based on an analysis of the clinical data. (27 Sep 1997) |