Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

Leukocytes are divided into granulocytes and agranulocytes.

Granulocytes are leukocytes that contain distinct granules in their cytoplasm, whereas agranulocytes not.

Granulocytes: Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil

Agranulocytes: Lymphocyte, Monocyte

Neutrophils

45%-70% – 2.0 – 7.5 x 109/L

  • Multilobular nucleus
  • 2-5 segments
  • Hypersegmented cells are seen in Megaloblastic anemia
  • Destroy foreign substance and microorganisms
  • Phagocytic.
  • Left shift is neutrophil precursor cells are increased in the blood flow.
Neutrophil

Increased In.. (Neutrophilila)

  • Bacterial, fungal Infections
  • Stress, Injuries, Burns, Surgery
  • Inflammation (MI, PN, gout, UC, CD)
  • Certain drugs (Steroids)
  • Excercise
  • Pregnancy

Decreased In.. (Neutropenia)

  • Viral Infections, some bacterial infections
  • CT Disease (Auto Immune): Neutrophil antibodies (SLE)
  • Chemotherapy
  • Drugs (Antimalarial, Quinidine..)
  • Leukemia

Lymphocytes

20%-40% – 1.5 – 4.5 x 109/L

  • Types: NK cells, T Cells & B Cells
  • Large nucleus
Lymphocyte

Increased In..(Lymphocytosis)

  • Viral Infections
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphomas
  • Chronic infections
  • Autoimmune (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Decreased In..(Lymphopenia)

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunosuppressant (Glucocorticoid)
  • Renal Failure
  • Sarcoidosis
  • HIV/ AIDS

Eosinophils

0%-4% – 0.04 – 0.4 x 109/L

  • Bilobed nucleus
  • Phagocytic
  • Destroy parasites and helminths
  • Associated with allergic reactions (e.g. asthma)
  • Contain peroxidase
Eosinophil

Increased In..

  • Asthma, Hay fever
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphomas
  • Parasites and helminths infestation
  • skin disease
  • Drug Hypersensitivity
  • Vasculitis

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)

Persistent eosinophilia for more than 6 weeks with end organ damage (heart, lungs, CNS, skin)

Monocytes

 2%-10% – 0.2 – 0.8 x 109/L

  • Irregular nucleus
  • Largest among leukocytes
  • Differentiate into Macrophages, dendritic cells
  • Cytoplasm has vacuoles
Monocyte

Increased In.. (Monocytosis)

  • Infection
  • Chronic Inflammation (CT Disease)
  • Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
  • Myelodysplasia

Decrease In..

  • Immunosuppressants (glucocorticoids)
  • Chemotherapy

Basophils

  0%-2% – 0 – 0.1 x 109/L

  • Contains Histamine, myeloperxidase
  • large cytoplasmic dense granules which obscure the nucleus
  • Parasitic infections and allergies
  • Found receptor for IgE
  • On binding with IgE histamine is released.
Basophil

Increased In..

  • IgE mediated Hypersensitive reactions
  • Inflammatory disorders
  • Myeloproliferative neoplasms

Decrease In..

Agranulocytosis

Diminish granulocytes in the blood.