Cluster Of Differentiation Antigens: A Diagnostic Tool In Immunohaematology
Dr. Odoh Clementina Uche
Medical Labouratory Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus
Keywords: Cluster of Differentiation Antigens, Diagnostic Tool In Immunohaematology, differentiation marker
Abstract
Cluster of differentiation antigens also known as cluster of differentiation marker[CD marker] are specific type of molecules found on the surface of cell membrane that help differentiate one cell type from another. This is used in identification and characterization of leucocyte cells and other cells that are important to the immune system. Due to the proliferation of many monoclonal antibodies discovered from different laboratories around the world. Their arose the need for harmonization of these monoclonal antibodies used by assigning CD antigens number when two monoclonal antibodies react with a surface antigen. Cluster of differentiation antigens naming system was created after the first international workshop held in paris in 1987, using different monoclonal antibodies, later other international workshop was held in different countries in subsequent years leading to about 391 CD markers. In immuno haematology, diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, HIV and trasfusion transmitted diseaeses, can be diagnosed and therapy monitored using CD antigens with the method of flow sytometry. Hence much review has to be done to explore its diagnostic and therapeutic use especially during this covid-19 pandemic.