Disorders of White Blood Cells Flashcards
what are the 5 varieties of nucleated cells in the peripheral blood?
→ neutrophils (granulocytes)
→ eosinophils (granulocytes)
→ basophils (granulocytes)
→ lymphocytes
→ monocytes
What is the primary function of nucleated cells in the peripheral blood?
- Primary function: Against infection or infestation
- difference between infection and infestation → infection = bacteria, infestation
What is a characteristic of granulocytes and monocytes
they are phagocytic
What are lymphocytes useful for?
immune response - eg cell mediated, Ab
Examples of disorders of white blood cell which contribute to the changes in leukocyte counts
Leucocytosis
Leucopenia
Leukaemia
Leukaemoid reaction
What does Leucocytosis do?
increase total number of white blood cell
What does leucopenia do?
decrease the total number of white blood cells
What does leukaemia do to white blood cell count?
increases
What is leukaemia also known as?
blood cancer
What does leukaemia do to tissues?
neoplasia of leucopoietic tissue
What is the leukaemia reaction?
massive leucocytosis and immature cells - chronic infection and servere haemolysis
What does leukaemoid reaction resemble?
→ look like leukaemia due to number increase → but are not malignant
Neutrophil leucocytosis
bacterial infections, tissue damage
Lymphocytosis
viral infection
Eosinophilia
parasitic infestation / allergy - such as asthma
Monocytosis
chronic bacterial infection (TB), malignant neoplasms
Basophil leucocytosis
(uncommon) myeloproliferative disorders
How much more neutrophils do neutrophilia show?
- normal = 1/1000
- neutrophilic shows more than that
What can changes of WBC count can be used to diagnose?
Neutrophil leucocytosis
Lymphocytosis
Eosinophilia
Monocytosis
Basophil leucocytosis
Causes of Neutrophilia
- Bacterial infections
- Inflammation/tissue necrosis
- Metabolic disorders
- Malignant neoplasia → some involve neutrophils being malignant
- Myeloproliferative disease → bone marrow cancer leading to neutrophil increase
- Drugs (steroids)
- Physiological (pregnancy, exercise)
What is Neutropenia?
→ lack of neutrophils
→ massively decreases
→ two types - selective neutropenia and pancytopenia
What are the two types of neutropenia?
selective neutropenia and pancytopenia
What is reduced in selective neutropenia?
only a reduction in white blood cells
What is reduced in pancytopenia?
all blood cell production