Monocytes are white blood cells that help remove harmful substances, dead cells, and cancerous cells. High levels can indicate infections, tumors, blood disorders, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. Low levels can be caused by medications or bone marrow damage. Monocyte levels can be measured through a differential white blood cell count. Management involves treating the underlying cause, and medications are available to increase white blood cell levels.
Monocytes are white blood cells of the immune system. As part of the body’s immune function, monocytes help get rid of harmful substances, dead cells, and cancerous cells. This means that infections and tumors tend to increase the levels of monocytes in the blood. Certain blood disorders, genetic disorders, and autoimmune diseases are also associated with increased monocyte levels. A person’s monocyte count can also decrease, and this can be caused by the use of steroid drugs, chemotherapy treatments, or toxins produced by certain bacteria.
Monocyte levels can be measured as part of a test known as a differential white blood cell count. This calculates the percentages of the different types of white blood cells in a blood sample. Monocytes normally account for about five to ten percent of the total white blood cell count.
Together with other blood cells, monocytes form in the bone marrow, so disorders that damage the bone marrow, such as cancer, can cause low levels of monocytes. Normally, monocytes travel in the bloodstream to different parts of the body where they develop into phagocytic cells called dendritic cells and macrophages. Phagocytic cells are scavengers, capable of consuming and destroying harmful particles such as bacteria and waste materials such as dead cells. This is why monocyte levels are elevated in response to infection and inflammation, so they can remove microbes and dead cells from tissue. Tuberculosis and syphilis are two examples of bacterial diseases that cause increased levels of monocytes, and viruses such as measles and mumps can have a similar effect.
Malignant conditions such as leukemia or lung cancer can lead to increased levels of monocytes, along with elevated levels of other types of white blood cells. In leukemia, the bone marrow becomes cancerous and starts producing large numbers of monocytes. Autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues, are also associated with increased monocyte levels. Such conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, which affects the joints, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Some bacteria, such as E.coli, produce particles known as endotoxins. Endotoxins can cause endotoxic shock, a life-threatening condition in which low blood pressure, organ failure, and bleeding occur. The condition is also associated with reduced levels of monocytes and other white blood cells.
For patients who have abnormally high monocyte counts, management usually involves treating the underlying cause. Low counts of monocytes and other white blood cells can sometimes leave patients vulnerable to infection. The medications causing the problem may need to be stopped. There are also medications available that can increase white blood cell levels.
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