Abnormal White Blood Cell Count

Question 1

Define haemopoiesis

Answer 1

Production of blood cells in the marrow, malignant haemopoiesis- laeukamia, lymphoid, myeloid…

All the precursors if in blood then sepsis

Question 2

What are the factors that affect cell numbers and haemopoiesis

Answer 2

Regulation of haemopoiesis occurs via cytokines, chemokines and hormones. Factors stimulating; myeloid: G-CSF and M-CSF and lymphoid: IL-2, erythroid: erythropoietin

Question 3

Describe the white cell production and differentiation

Answer 3

In the bone marrow: immature cells proliferating and differentiating from stem cells and in the peripheral blood, mature cells respond to infection,

Question 4

Describe eosinophilia and causes

Answer 4

1. Reactive: normal haemopoiesis stimulated by inflammation, infection, increased cytokine production
2. Primary/ malignant: abnormal haemopoiesis, cancer, leaukamia

Question 5

How do you investigate a raised white cell count

Answer 5

LOOK AT SLIDES

If there are immature cells in the blood film then think about leaukaemia

Question 6

Describe the common causes of abnormal white cell count

Answer 6

1. Neurotrophil: normally present in BM, life span of 2-3 days. However neutrophilia can develop in minutes via demargniation, caused via infection, inflammation, physical stress, corticosteroids,
2. Eosinophilia: reactive + malignant
3. Monocytosis: Rare but seen in certain chronic infections
4. Lymphocytosis: if mature