White Blood Cells: Diseases and Disorders

White blood cells, also called leukocytes, are an important part of our immune system that play a vital role in defending the body from various infections. There are different types of white blood cells; neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. All of them are produced in the bone marrow and are found in the lymph tissues and blood. Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are called granulocytes. T cells, B cells and natural killer cells are types of lymphocytes. There is a definite life span of these cells; it can be 2 weeks to 3 weeks, after which they are destroyed. The number of leukocytes present in the body changes with advancing age.

Increase or decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, leads to different diseases and disorders of the white blood cells. Neutropenia, HIV/AIDS and lymphocytopenia are caused due to low white blood cell count, while leukemia is caused due to high white blood cell count. Given below is a brief information on these diseases and disorders.

Neutropenia: Neutrophils contribute to 70% of white blood cells in our body. They help the body to fight with bacterial and fungal infections. Neutropenia is caused due to reduced number of neutrophils in the blood. There are several causes of neutropenia. Side effects of any medication, chemotherapy, and viral infection are some of the causes. Inadequate formation of neutrophils in the bone marrow or destruction of neutrophils in the blood stream, can cause a type of neutropenia called autoimmune neutropenia. Fever or any frequent infection can be symptoms of neutropenia. Neutropenia is diagnosed by determining the white blood cell count. A normal neutrophil count is 3000 to 8000 (per microliter of blood), while neutropenia is diagnosed when the neutrophil count is 2000. The treatment for neutropenia depends on the cause. Medications that help grow the number of neutrophils are recommended to such patients. In rare cases, bone marrow transplant is performed.

HIV/AIDS: AIDS is a life-threatening disease that is caused due to the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The stage when the HIV spreads almost all over the body, is called AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). This virus attacks and destroys the white blood cells, that are responsible for regulating the immune system. Thus, the immune system of a HIV-infected person becomes very weak. These viruses are present in the blood and sexual fluids. Thus, unprotected sex with a HIV-infected person is the most common cause. An infected mother can pass the virus to her child, via breast-feeding or during childbirth. These days, the infection to the child can be prevented with the help of proper treatment. HIV does not show any symptoms in its early stages. Neither is there any vaccine that can prevent HIV infection nor any treatment that can cure it. Safety measures are the only way to avoid getting infected with HIV.

Lymphocytopenia: Reduced number of lymphocytes in the blood leads to lymphocytopenia. Chronic infections and hereditary disorders are some of the causes of the disease. The treatment is given depending upon the cause.

Leukemia: Leukemia, also called blood cancer, is a group of diseases that is caused due to increased number of blood cells. Uncontrolled growth of any blood cell leads to leukemia. Most forms of the disease are caused due to high white blood cell count. The bone marrow produces a large number of immature white blood cells that cannot function properly. Lymphocytic leukemia is caused due to increased number of lymphocytes. The causes that lead to growth in the number of immature cells is still unknown.The following is a list of different types of leukemia that occur due to increased white blood cells in the blood:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Leukemia patients are susceptible to any kind of infection. Their immune system is not capable of fighting against infection. Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant are some of the treatments given for leukemia.

Eosinophilia, monocyte disorders, idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome are some other diseases related to white blood cells. Leukocytes are vital cells of our body, diseases and disorders of which, can lead to fatal consequences. A regular white blood cell count can help to give timely treatment to the patient and reduce the symptoms to a great extent.