Lecture 10: Leukocyte Evaluation Flashcards
What is a cytokine?
Any number of substances secreted by certain cells of immune system and have an effect on other cells.
What is granulocytopenia?
Reduced # of neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils
What are the PMN leukocytes?
The granulocytes: neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils.
What are the mononuclear leukocytes?
Agranulocytes - lymphocytes and monocytes
What is the most common type of WBC generally?
Segmented neutrophils
Where do granulocytes come from?
Hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)
How do HSC’s replicate?
Self-renewal and differentiation.
What is the proliferation cycle of a myeloblast?
Myeloblast => promyelocyte => myelocyte.
What can myelocytes do?
Cell division
Differentiation
What happens in the differentiation stage for a metamyelocyte?
It becomes a metamyelocyte => band => PMN cells
What are the immature granulocytes?
Metamyelocytes and bands are immature granulocytes.
PMNs are MATURE granulocytes.
Capable of maturation and differentiation but are not capable of division
What can myeloblasts become?
Basophils
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Monocytes
At what point do myeloblasts become unable to replicate?
Once they become metamyelocytes.
What is the difference between proliferation and differentiation?
Differentiation means no more splitting/replicating.
What is included in neutrophil count?
Mature or immature neutrophils
What is the difference between poly-A and poly-M?
Poly-A means automatic examination of PMNs neutrophils.
Poly-M means manual examination of PMNs neutrophils.
When do we prefer absolute values for WBC diffs?
Pathologic states.
What should you always keep in mind if the relative % of one leukocyte increases?
The other percentages will decrease.
What is a neutrophil?
WBC
Contains granules that digest microorganisms.
What do neutrophils typically protect from?
Bacterial and fungal infection
Where is the storage pool for neutrophils?
Bone marrow.
Cannot detect neutrophils if they are in the bone marrow.
What are extramedullary neutrophils?
Circulating neutrophils in the bloodstream. They circulate approx 24 hours prior to entering a tissue.
Also known as circulation pool. (1/2 of neutrophils)
OR
Marginal pool (1/2 neutrophils)
What are the 1/2 of neutrophils attached to endothelial walls called?
Marginal pool.
What are the 3 pools for neutrophils?
Storage pool in the bone marrow (in steady state)
Extramedullary neutrophils:
Circulation pool (50%)
Marginal pool (50%)
What is neutrophilia?
Elevated ANC, aka granulocytosis.
What are the two possible presentations for neutrophilia?
Neutrophilic shift
True neutrophilia
What is a neutrophilic shift?
Shift from marginal pool to circulating pool.
It is transient, lasting 20-30 mins with a 1-2 min onset.
What causes neutrophilic shifts?
Exercise
Seizure
Paroxysmal tachycardia
Epinephrine injection
Post-op state
What is true neutrophilia?
Release of neutrophils from storage pool.
ANC elevates 5-6x
What are the 3 etiologic classifications of true neutrophilia?
Suprious: false elevated
Primary: Inherited
Secondary: MC type, and MC cause is infection.
What do we call a early release of bands?
Left shift
What are some secondary causes of true neutrophilia?
Infection (MC)
Stress
Cigarette smoking (constant inflammation)
Glucocorticoids
Recombinant G-CSF or GM-CSF
What are some primary causes of true neutrophilia?
Myeloproliferative disorders
What are some spurious causes of true neutrophilia?
Platelet clumping
Mixed cryoglobulinemia
What are the 3 types of neutropenia?
Mild: ANC 1000-1800
Moderate: ANC 500-1000
Severe: ANC < 500
What PE finding in a wound can suggest neutropenia?
Lack of pus in a wound.
Increased risk of sepsis from open wound.
What are the 3 main pathophysiologic processes responsible for neutropenia?
Insufficient or injured bone marrow stem cells.
Shift in neutrophils from the circulating pool to the marginal pool or tissue pool
Increased destruction in the circulation.
What is pseudoneutropenia?
Fake neutropenia as a result of medications OR
CBC being taken in the morning. Neutrophils might be resting in the marrow in the morning.
What is the name of the medication SE we will see for causing neutropenia?
Agranulocytosis.
What disorder category would cause increased destruction of neutrophils?
Autoimmune disorders.
What is the most common demographic for neutropenia?
Elderly
Asians and African-Americans may have low NORMAL neutrophil counts.
What is the main complication we are worried about in neutropenia?
Bacterial infections.
Why can bacterial infections be so dangerous in neutropenia?
Initial presenting s/s may not occur.
At what point are serious infections a real threat in regards to ANC?
ANC <500
Severe neutropenia.
What are some medications that are known to cause neutropenia?
Sulfonamides
PCN
Cephalosporins
Methimazole
Phenytoin
At what ANC level do we refer to heme/onc?
ANC <1000
What additional workup will heme/onc generally order for moderate-severe neutropenia?
Bone marrow biopsy
Serum antineutrophil antibodies
Rh factor and splenomegaly