WBC disorders Flashcards
what is neutrophil leukocytosis?
an increase in the circulating neutrophils to a level greater than 7.5 x 10(9)/L and is a blood finding
what causes neutrophilia?
- Bacterial infections
- Inflammation of tissue and necrosis
- Metabolic disorders
- Neoplasms
- Acute haemorrhage, haemolysis
- Drugs
- Chronic myeloid leukaemia, myeloproliferative disease such as polycythaemia rubra vera, myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythaemia
- Treatment with myeloid growth factors G-CSF, GM-CSF
- Asplenia
what is a leukamoid reaction?
a white cell count > 50 x 109/L with cells of all stages of myeloid maturation appearing in the peripheral blood
when does a leukamoid reaction occur?
reactive response to severe infection, certain cancers, pharmaceuticals, growth factors, haemorrhage or haemolysis
what is neutropenia?
when the neutrophil count is less than 2.5x109/L
what are the causes of neutropenia?
can be congenital or acquired:
- Congenital- kostmann’s syndrome
- Acquired: Drug induced, Cyclical neutropenia, Immune infections
reference range for eosinophils?
0.02 - 0.5 x 109 /L
what is the role of eosinophils?
They are phagocytic and can kill ingested organisms
They are important in the bodies defence against tissue parasites (hook worms and tape worms)
They also have a role in allergic reactions
what do eosinophils secondary granules contain?
high concentrations of bactericidal proteins and enzymes
what are the main bactericidal proteins and enzymes in eosinophils?
Major basic protein (MBP)
Eosinophil peroxidase
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP)
Eosinophil derived neurotoxin/eosinophil protein X (EDN/EPX)
what does major basic protein MBP do?
disrupts the lipid bilayer of parasites
what are the causes of eosinophilia?
Allergic disease Parasitic infections Certain skin conditions Drug sensitivity Graft versus host disease Hypereosinophilic syndrome Chronic eosinophilic leukaemia Treatment with GM-CSF
reference range basophils
0.2-0.1 x 109 /L
role of basophils
They are a role in allergic and inflammatory response and synthesis heparin
where are basophils and mast cells found?
Basophils comprise of <1% of circulating WBC whereas mast cells are resident in the tissues
what are the mast cell precursors?
basophils
what stimulates basophils and mast cells to release their granules?
IgE antibodies
what causes basophillia?
Chronic myeloid leukaemia
Reactive basophils increases are sometimes seen in myxoedema, smallpox, or chickenpox infection
Allergic reactions