Multiparametric method for assessing immune system status

A method of assessing the reaction of a patient's immune system to an antigen stimulant, comprising:

• contacting a first sample comprising T-cells obtained from the patient with a viable antigen under conditions sufficient to induce T cell proliferation by the viable antigen;
• contacting a second sample comprising T-cells obtained from the patient with a viable third-party antigen under conditions sufficient to induce T- cell proliferation by the viable third-party antigen;
• measuring T cell proliferation induced by the viable antigen in the first sample by detecting a plurality of markers in the first sample following contacting the first sample with the viable antigen, and at least one additional marker, respectively, wherein the plurality of makers comprises CD154, CD45RO and CD8;
• measuring T cell proliferation induced by the viable third party antigen in the second sample by detecting the plurality of markers in the second sample following contacting the second sample with the third-party antigen, and the at least one additional marker, respectively;
• and
• comparing T cell proliferation induced by the viable antigen in the first sample to T cell proliferation or an immune response induced by the viable third-party antigen in the second sample,
• thereby determining that the patient's immune system responds to the viable third party antigen and that the viable third party antigen induces reaction of the patient's immune system.