leukocytosis (redirected from pathologic leukocytosis)

Leukocytosis 

Definition

Leukocytosis is a condition characterized by an elevated number of white cells in the blood.

Description

Leukocytosis is a condition that affects all types of white blood cells. Other illnesses, such as neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, and granulocytosis, target specific types of white blood cells. Normal white blood cell counts are 4,300-10,800 white blood cells per microliter. Leukocyte or white blood cell levels are considered elevated when they are between 15,000-20,000 per microliter. The increased number of leukocytes can occur abnormally as a result of an infection, cancer, or drug intake; however, leukocytosis can occur normally after eating a large meal or experiencing stress.

Causes and symptoms

Leukemias can cause white blood cell counts to increase to as much as 100,000. Each kind of white cell can produce a leukemia. Apart from leukemias, nearly all leukocytosis is due to one type of white blood cell, the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN). These conditions are more accurately referred to as neutrophilia.

The most common and important cause of neutrophilia is infection, and most infections cause neutrophilia. The degree of elevation often indicates the severity of the infection. Tissue damage from other causes raises the white count for similar reasons. Burns, infarction (cutting off the blood supply to a region of the body so that it dies), crush injuries, inflammatory diseases, poisonings, and severe diseases, like kidney failure and diabetic ketoacidosis, all cause neutrophilia.

Counts almost as high occur in leukemoid (leukemia-like) reactions caused by infection and non-infectious inflammation.

Drugs can also cause leukocytosis. Cortisone-like drugs (prednisone), lithium, and NSAIDs are the most common offenders.

Non-specific stresses also cause white blood cells to increase in the blood. Extensive testing of medical students reveals that neutrophilia accompanies every examination. Vigorous exercise and intense excitement also cause elevated white blood cell counts.

Diagnosis

A complete blood count (CBC) is one of the first tests obtained in any medical setting. More than 11,000 white cells in a cubic millimeter of blood is considered high. Bone marrow biopsy may help clarify the cause.

Treatment

Relieving the underlying cause returns the count to normal.

Key terms

Biopsy — Surgical removal of tissue for examination.

Inflammation — Heat, swelling, redness, and pain caused by tissue injury.

Ketoacidosis — A severe stage of diabetes where acids and ketones accumulate in the body.

NSAID — Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen.

Prognosis

By treating the underlying condition, white blood cell counts usually return to normal

Resources

Books

Holland, Steven M., and John I. Gallin. "Disorders of Granulocytes and Monocytes." In Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, edited by Anthony S. Fauci, et al. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997.

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leukocytosis /leu·ko·cy·to·sis/ (-si-to´sis) a transient increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood, due to various causes.

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basophilic leukocytosis  basophilia (1).

eosinophilic leukocytosis  eosinophilia.

mononuclear leukocytosis  mononucleosis.

neutrophilic leukocytosis  neutrophilia.

pathologic leukocytosis  that due to some morbid condition, such as infection or trauma.

physiologic leukocytosis  that due to a nonpathologic condition such as strenuous exercise.

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leu·ko·cy·to·sis or leu·co·cy·to·sis (lk-s-tss)

n. pl. leu·ko·cy·to·ses (-sz)

An abnormally large increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood, often occurring during an acute infection or inflammation.

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leuko·cy·totic (-ttk) adj.

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leukocytosis

[lo̅o̅′kōsītō′sis]

Etymology: Gk, leukos + kytos, cell, osis, condition

an abnormal increase in the number of circulating white blood cells. An increase often accompanies bacterial, but not usually viral, infections. The normal range is 5000 to 10,000 white cells per cubic millimeter of blood. Leukemia may be associated with a white blood cell count as high as 500,000 to 1 million per cubic millimeter of blood, the increase being either equally or disproportionately distributed among all types. Kinds of leukocytosis include basophilia, eosinophilia, and neutrophilia. Also spelled leucocytosis. Compare leukemia, leukemoid reaction, leukopenia. See also leukocyte.

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leukocytosis (loo´kōsītō´sis),

n an increase in the normal number of white blood cells; may be a defensive reaction, as in inflammation, or may result from a disturbance in white blood cell formation, as in leukemia. Various limits are given; e.g., leukocytosis in the adult is indicated when there are more than 10,000 white blood cells per cubic millimeter. See also eosinophilia; lymphocytosis; neutrophilia; monocytosis.

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leukocytosis

a transient increase in the number of leukocytes in the blood, due to various causes.

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basophilic leukocytosis

see basophilia (2).

eosinophilic leukocytosis

see eosinophilia (2).

leukocytosis-inducing factor

a factor which causes an increase in release of immature neutrophils into the circulation; an increased level of the factor in the circulation caused by endotoxin; called also neutrophil-releasing activity.

mononuclear leukocytosis

mononucleosis.

pathological leukocytosis

that due to some morbid reaction, e.g. infection or trauma.

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leukocytosis

↑ in WBCs–WBC count > 11 x 109/L–US: 11,000/mm3, benign or malignant. See Reactive leukocytosis, WBC. Cf Leukemia, Leukopenia.

Leukocytosis

Physiologic Follows nonspecific immune stimulation, eg intense exercise; it may be idiopathic or hereditary, neonatal, induced by heat or solar irradiation, diurnal, ↑ in afternoon, related to stress, eg pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, womanhood–↑ during ovulation and near term, ↑ during labor, ether anesthesia, ↑ adrenalin, convulsions, paroxysmal tachycardia, pain, nausea, vomiting, anoxia, exercise, convulsions

Pathologic May be due to infections, often bacterial, inflammation, severe burns, post-operative, MI, strangulated hernias, intestinal obstruction, gouty attacks, acute glomerulonephritis, serum sickness, rheumatic fever, immune disorders and connective tissue diseases, metabolism–ketoacidosis, uremia, eclampsia, heavy metals–lead, mercury, petrochemicals–benzene, turpentine, drugs–phenacetin, digitalis, black widow spider venom, endotoxin or toxoid injection, Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, hemorrhage–often into cranial cavity, serosal surfaces–pleural pericardium and peritoneum or acute hemolysis, malignancy–GI tract or hematopoietic, and Cushing syndrome