Furthermore, as excessive activation of T cells can be detrimental not only in stroke [21] but can also contribute to poor outcomes in sepsis [22], the activation of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells concurrent with the observed lymphopenia at the 72 hour timepoint was assessed by expression of CD69, an early marker of T lymphocyte activation, via flow cytometry. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is stroke disorder.