Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method of monitoring disease progression in a mammal positive for immunodeficiency virus which includes collecting blood cells from a mammal to obtain a first blood sample adding antibodies such as CD4 and CD8 to the first blood sample scanning the blood sample to produce a first multivariate dot plot which may be used to quantify at least CD4+ and CD8+ blood cell populations to produce a first ratio. The first multivariate dot plot may also be used to quantify a CD8??low subpopulation which may be used to calculate a second ratio. A third ratio is calculated of the second ratio to the first ratio and the result plotted on a graph as a first point. This process may be repeated to produce a second point for evaluating an extent of disease progression.