White Cell Abnormalities

Question 1

Define leucocytosis

Answer 1

• Raised white cell count

Question 2

Define leucopenia

Answer 2

• Low white cell count

Question 3

Define neutrophilia

Answer 3

• Raised neutrophil count

Question 4

Define neutropenia

Answer 4

• Low neutrophil count

Question 5

Define lymphocytosis

Answer 5

• Raised lymphocyte count

Question 6

Define lymphopenia

Answer 6

• Low lymphocyte count

Question 7

Define eosinophilia

Answer 7

• Raised eosinophil count

Question 8

Define basophilia

Answer 8

• Raised basophil count

Question 9

Causes of neutropenia

Answer 9

• Infection
• Drugs (NSAIDs, sulphonylureas, chemotherapy agents)
• Autoimmune
• Hypothyroidism

Question 10

Causes of neutrophilia

Answer 10

• Acute bacterial infection
• Inflammation
• Stress (surgery, trauma, burns, haemorrhage, post seizure, intensive exercise)
• Medications (steroids)
• Myeloproliferative disorders (CML, PRV)
• Non-haematological malignancy

Question 11

Causes of lymphopenia

Answer 11

• HIV infection
• Bone marrow infiltration
• Post chemotherapy
• SLE
• Uraemia
• Steroid therapy

Question 12

Causes of lymphocytosis

Answer 12

• Chronic infection (TB, syphilis, hepatitis)
• Acute viral infections
• Leukaemias
• Lymphomas

Question 13

Causes of eosinophilia

Answer 13

• Allergic disorders (asthma, hay fever, eczema)
• Parasitiv infections (filariasis, hookworm, schistosomiasis, scabies)
• Drug sensitivities (penicillins, sulphonamides)
• Skin conditions (psoriasis, pemphigus, dermatitis, herpetiformis)
• Malignancy (lymphoma, CML)

Question 14

Causes of basophilia

Answer 14

• Myeloproliferative disorders
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Viral infections
• Inflammatory disorders