Final answer:
In a WBC histogram, peaks reflect the distribution of white blood cells. The presence of a larger peak for CD8 T cells indicates a higher number of these cells, likely due to a response to infection such as influenza. In a blood smear, counting different white blood cells can indicate if the distribution is normal or abnormal.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a WBC histogram, the peaks reflect the distribution and abundance of various types of white blood cells. The histogram is generated after treating white blood cells with a fluorescent monoclonal antibody (mAb) against a specific antigen, such as CD8, and then passing the cells through a flow cytometer. The flow cytometer measures the fluorescence of each cell, which correlates with the presence and amount of the target antigen.
If the area under the blue peak, representing CD8 T cells, is three times greater than the red peak on the right, you can determine that the patient has a higher number of CD8 T cells. This could be consistent with a patient recovering from an infection like influenza, as CD8 T cells are crucial for fighting viral infections.
When analyzing a blood smear, which is a different method of evaluating white blood cells, one would identify and count different leukocyte types systematically. If the percentages of the various cell types are within normal ranges, it indicates a normal smear; deviations may suggest abnormalities requiring further investigation.