Test

Background

Typical CLL can be diagnosed with some confidence using flow cytometry. CLL cells express low levels of B-cell receptor associated molecules (e.g. CD19, CD79B and sIg) together with CD5 and CD23 in typical cases. However, atypical cases are regularly encoutered and can cause diagnosic difficulty.

Immunophenotype of CLL
Major markers useful in CLL diagnosis
κ/λ		wk	Either weak restricted κ or λ or undetectable expression
CD19		Wk/ mod	Expression is expected, but less strong than normal B cells

Pitfalls and atypical cases