Leukomoid Reaction

Question 1

What is a leukemoid reaction?

Answer 1

Exaggerated immune response to infection in which WBCs increase and can resemble leukemia

The term ‘-oid’ means ‘looks like but isn’t,’ indicating that although WBC levels are high, it is not leukemia.

Question 2

What is the normal leukocyte count?

Answer 2

4-11,000/µL

This range represents the typical number of white blood cells in a healthy individual.

Question 3

What WBC count might typical infections cause?

Answer 3

Teens or 20,000s/µL

This is a common range observed during infections, but values higher than this warrant further investigation.

Question 4

At what WBC level should one start thinking about leukemia?

Answer 4

30,000/µL

Values creeping into the 30s are increasingly rare in infections and may indicate leukemia.

Question 5

What does the blood smear show in a leukemoid reaction?

Answer 5

Neutrophilia, meaning there are lots of neutrophils present

This is a key finding that differentiates leukemoid reaction from leukemia.

Question 6

What is the leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in leukemoid reaction compared to chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)?

Answer 6

Elevated in leukemoid reaction, low in CML

This difference is crucial for diagnosis.

Question 7

What is another term for leukemoid reaction?

Answer 7

Reactive granulocytosis

This term emphasizes the reactive nature of the increased granulocyte count.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: A typical leukemoid reaction question might present a __________ with WBCs 32,000/µL.

Answer 8

UTI

Urinary tract infections can lead to significant leukocyte elevation.

Question 9

What is the mechanism behind increased leukocyte release in a leukemoid reaction?

Answer 9

Increased release of leukocytes from bone marrow post-mitotic reserve pool

This describes the physiological response to infection.