White Blood Cell Differential

Lymphocytes

20%-40% ↑ increased with infectious mononucleosis, viral and some bacterial infections, hepatitis; ↓ decreased with aplastic anemia, SLE, immunodeficiency including AIDS

Leukocytes

(All WBC) 4,500-11,000/MM³

Monocytes

2%-8% ↑ increased with viral infections, parasitic disease, collagen and hemolytic disorders; ↓ decreased with use of corticosteroids, RA, HIV infection

Neutrophil (function)

Neutrophils defend against bacterial or fungal infection and other very small inflammatory processes. They are usually the first responders to microbial infection; their activity and death in large numbers forms pus.

Leukocytes (function)

Two major types of leukocytes (white blood cells): granulocytes and agranulocytes Granulocytes: neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. (These granules are membrane-bound enzymes that act primarily in the digestion of endocytosed particles.) Agranulocytes include lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages.(Agranulocytes contain lysosomes which are small vesicles containing digestive enzymes that break down any foreign matter that is endocytosed by the cell.)

Basophils

0%-1% ↑ increased with acute leukemia and following surgery or trauma ↓decreased with allergic reactions, stress, allergy, parasitic disease, use of corticosteroids

Eosinophils

0%-4% ↑ increased in allergy, parasitic disease, collagen disease, subacute infections ↓decreased with stress, use of some medications (ACTH,epinephrine, thyroxine)

Basophil (function)

Basophils are chiefly responsible for allergic and antigen response by releasing the chemical histamine, which causes dilation of the blood vessels. They also release heparin and serotonin.

Neutrophils

45%-73% ↑ increased with acute infections, trauma or surgery, leukemia, malignant disease, necrosis; ↓decreased with viral infections, bone marrow suppression, primary bone marrow disease, chemotherapy Neutropenia refers to a reduction in the blood neutrophil count to < 1000/mm³. •A neutrophil count of less than 500/mm³ indicates a severe risk of infection.

Eosinophils (function)

Eosinophils primarily deal with parasitic infections. They are also the predominant inflammatory cells in allergic reactions.

Lymphocyte (function)

Lymphocytes come in three types: B-lymphocytes, which produce antibodies in the humoral immune response, T-lymphocytes which participate in the cell-mediated immune response, and the null group which contains natural killer cells; cytotoxic cells that participate in the innate immune response.

Monocytes (function)

Monocytes - present pieces of pathogens to T cells so that the pathogens may be recognized again and killed, or so that an antibody response may be mounted. Macrophages are monocytes that have migrated out of the blood stream and into the body tissues. They take up and destroy necrotic cell debris and foreign material including viruses, bacteria, and tattoo ink.