What is a CD57 test?

The CD57 test measures CD57 positive NK cells only. The test is performed on EDTA whole blood. In patients with low CD 57 counts, Lyme disease and Chlamydophila pneumoniae infections should be included in differential diagnosis.

What is CD57 lab test?

What is a normal CD57 count?

The standard normal range for the absolute CD57 NK count is 60 to 360 cells per microliter of blood. This wide range was established based upon test results of hundreds of healthy patients.

What does a low CD57 mean?

Test interpretation: Low CD-57 occurs in chronic Lyme or when the disease has been active for over 1 year. The count reflects the degree of infection. It is not a diagnostic test but is used as a marker for Lyme being active. >200 is normal. < 20 severe illness.

What produces NK cells?

CD56bright NK cells constitute the majority of NK cells, being found in bone marrow, secondary lymphoid tissue, liver, and skin. CD56dim NK cells are primarily found in the peripheral blood, and are characterized by their cell killing ability.

What do you need to know about the CD57 test?

Clinicians need to be aware that many testing laboratories claiming to perform the CD57 test are actually looking at CD57+ T-cells rather than CD57+ NK cells, which are the cells of interest in chronic Lyme disease.

What should the CD57 level be for Lyme disease?

200 is also the level where CD57 natural killer cells should naturally reside. High CD57 levels with symptoms could be an indication that one is actually dealing with a co-infection as opposed to Lyme itself. Note: A CD57 test is used by some physicians to discretionarily confirm suspicions of chronic Lyme disease and remission.

Why do I have low CD57 + NK count?

The CD57 blood test measures CD57+ NK counts. Although the reason is unknown, people who are infected with a chronic Lyme disease infection have low CD57+ NK counts. First the lymphocytes are counted for an absolute number.

Is it safe to discontinue treatment for CD57?

A CD57 natural killer cell level of about 200 is believed to be the area in which it is safe to discontinue use of a protocol without the risk of encountering a relapse. Even if your symptoms disappear, you should still continue with treatment until your CD57 reaches about 200 to avoid a relapse.

What is considered low with a CD57 test?

Lyme Disease tends to suppress a person’s immune system and many people with Lyme have shown a low count for the CD57 Lymphocyte . Typically a CD57 count below 60 is indicative of Lyme Disease. In people being treated for Lyme Disease, monitoring their CD57 count can help determine how well they are responding to treatment.

What is the normal range for CD57 count?

The standard normal range for the absolute CD57 NK count is 60 to 360 cells per microliter of blood. This wide range was established based upon test results of hundreds of healthy patients. By these laboratory standards, a test result below 60 cells per microliter would be considered below normal and therefore associated with chronic Lyme disease.

What else causes low CD57?

Low CD57 counts are usually associated with a systemic infection, but the type of infection need not be of a specific type. Usually cell wall deficient bacteria can trigger this, but there are many, many types of cell wall deficient bacteria that cause systemic infections.

CD57 Explained. A low CD57 count on natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with chronic Lyme. We still don’t know why Lyme disease patients have low CD57 counts, but other illnesses sometimes confused with Lyme (i.e. lupus and MS) are NOT associated with a low CD57.