A differential white blood cell count measures the percentages of each type of white blood cell in the body, which can indicate the ability to fight off infection, allergic reactions, and parasitic infestation. Each type of white blood cell is assigned a normal value, and an increase or decrease in their values can indicate various health conditions. Neutrophils make up the largest percentage and an increase in their value can indicate acute bacterial infection or ongoing inflammation. Lymphocytes increase in chronic bacterial or viral infections and decrease in conditions such as lupus erythematosus, leukemia, and AIDS. Eosinophils increase in the presence of parasites, allergies, and skin infections, while basophils and monocytes increase in some cases of leukemia and inflammatory disorders.
A differential white blood cell count is a test that measures the percentages of each type of white blood cell in the body. It is often incorporated into the request for a blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC). The different white blood cells (WBCs) measured in count reports are neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes. Their total percentages always add up to 100%.
A doctor usually looks at the differential white blood cell count to assess a person’s ability to fight off the infection. It can also indicate the presence of allergic reactions or parasitic infestation inside the human body. Infections caused by a virus or bacterium can sometimes be picked up by the increase in value in one of these cell types. The stages of leukemia are also evaluated using the differential white blood cell count.
Each type of white blood cell is assigned a normal value in a differential white blood cell count report. Their values could be normal, decreased or increased, depending on the state of health of the person whose blood is being tested. The blood is usually extracted in the laboratory by a phlebotomist. As soon as the blood is drawn, it is processed to be read by machine or manually examined under a microscope by a qualified medical technician.
Neutrophils, or segmentators, make up the largest percentage of white blood cells. An increase in the value of these cells generally indicates the presence of an acute bacterial infection or some ongoing inflammation within the body. Other conditions that can show an increase in neutrophils are leukemia, gout, and rheumatic fever. A decrease may indicate aplastic anemia or may be due to the body’s response to treatment with various drugs.
An increase in the value of lymphocytes is mainly observed in patients with chronic bacterial or viral infections. It is also seen in some patients with bone marrow cancer and after radiation exposure. A decrease in lymphocytes is observed in patients with conditions such as lupus erythematosus, leukemia and AIDS.
Eosinophils usually increase in the presence of parasites, allergies, and skin infections. An increase in basophils is observed in some cases of leukemia, food allergies and after radiation therapy. Monocyte levels also increase in most infections and inflammatory disorders, as well as some malignancies such as leukemia. A decrease in monocytes sometimes indicates a lesion or cancer in the bone marrow.
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