Abnormal White Blood Cell Count Flashcards
What is the lymphoid lineage?
Lymphoid cells are lymphocytes = T cells, B cells and NK cells
Which cells come under the myeloid lineage?
Erythrocytes Neutrophils Basophils Eosinophils Monocytes Macrophages Megakaryocytes Dendritic Cells
Describe how the appearance of white cells changes as they develop.
They become smaller and their cytoplasm becomes clearer.
Which factors stimulate the following cell lines:
a. Lymphoid
b. Myeloid
c. Erythroid
a. Lymphoid - IL-2
b. Myeloid - G-CSF, M-CSF
c. Erythroid - Erythropoietin
Define Leukaemia.
A malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes.
This leads to suppression of the production of other blood cells such as erythrocytes, granulocytes and platelets.
Define Lymphoma.
A group of blood cell tumours that develop from lymphatic cells.
If the disease is mainly in the lymphatic tissue then it is lymphoma.
If it is mainly in the blood it is leukaemia.
Define Myeloma.
A malignant disease of the bone marrow characterised by two or moreof the following criteria:
The presence of an excess of abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow
Typical lytic deposits in the bones on X-ray, giving the appearance of holes
The presence in the serum of abnormal gammaglobulin, usually IgG
Broadly speaking, what can cause an increase in white blood cell count?
Increased white blood cell production
Increased white blood cell survival
What two broad categories of diseases can cause an increase in white blood cell count?
Reactive – in response to infection or inflammation
Primary – malignant
What is the difference in the type of white blood cell seen in theperipheral blood of someone with an infection/inflammation (reactive) and someone with a malignancy (primary)?
Reactive – only mature white blood cells
Primary – mature AND immature white blood cells present
Where does the mutation occur in chronic myeloid leukaemia?
GM-CFC phase (granulocyte-monocyte colony forming cell)
If there are only immature cells in the blood film with low haemoglobin and low platelets, what would you suspect?
Acute leukaemia
What are the normal ranges of:
a. Hb
b. Platelets
c. WCC
d. Neutrophils
e. Lymphocytes
f. Monocytes
g. Eosinophils
h. Basophils
a.Hb 120-160 g/L b. Platelets 150-400 x 109/L c.WCC 4-11 x 109/L d. Neutrophils 2.5-7.5 x 109/L e. Lymphocytes 1.5-3.5 x 109/L f. Monocytes 0.2-0.8 x 109/L g. Eosinophils 0.04-0.44 x 109/L h. Basophils 0.01-0.1 x 109/L
What can cause an elevated lymphocyte count?
Viral infections
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
What is the lifespan of a neutrophil?
Hours in the peripheral blood
2-3 days in the tissues