What are Lymphocytes, B-cells, NK cells, T-cells and CD4+ cells?
• Lymphocytes are part of the WBC (White Blood Cells). These cells are responsible for disposing of disease-causing organisms (germs) from the body. Lymphocytes include 3 types of cells, T-cells, B-cells and the rare NK (“Natural Killer”) cells. They may remove viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. • B-cells produce antibodies. These are proteins that help destroy germs and bacteria. • NK cells target viruses and cancerous cells • T-cells are used by the immune system to discriminate between our body cells and foreign cells. The 2 types of T-cells are CD8+, that fight infections inside our body cells, and CD4+ that instruct all other immune cells • CD4+ cells are targeted by HIV. In a healthy individual the range of CD4+ count is between 500/mm³ and 1100/mm³, when this number drops below 200/mm³ the person is considered to have AIDS. Consequently, the immune system weakens and the patient is vunerable to infections like TB, pneumonia, fungus etc. Health experts recommend that people with
