Alkitab University – Collage of Medical Techniques

Department of Medical Analysis

3rd stage – A4

Differential count of leukocyte

A report. Written by:

Muhammad Raheem Hussein

Falah faridoon ahmed

Sandy Adel ishaaq

Supervised by: Noor Salman

 Blood differential test

A blood differential test measures the amount of each type of white blood cell (WBC)
that have in body. White blood cells (leukocytes) are part of a immune system, a
network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect boody from
infection.
A WBC count can also be called a leukocyte count, and a WBC differential can also
be called a leukocyte differential count. A white blood cell (WBC) count measures
the number of white blood cells in your blood, and a WBC differential determines
the percentage of each type of white blood cell present in blood. A differential can
also detect immature white blood cells and abnormalities, both of which are signs of
potential issues.
A WBC count can also be called a leukocyte count, and a WBC differential can also
be called a leukocyte differential count.

There are five different types of white blood cells:

• Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. These cells travel to the site of an
infection and release substances called enzymes to fight off invading viruses or bacteria.
• Lymphocytes. There are two main types of lymphocytes: B cells and T cells. B cells fight
off invading viruses, bacteria, or toxins. T cells target and destroy the body's own cells that have
been infected by viruses or cancer cells.
• Monocytes remove foreign material, remove dead cells, and boost the body's immune response.
• Eosinophils fight infection, inflammation, and allergic reactions. They also defend the body
against parasites and bacteria.
• Basophils release enzymes to help control allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

It used for?

The blood differential test is used to diagnose a variety of medical conditions.

These may include infections, autoimmune diseases, anemia, inflammatory
diseases, and leukemia and other types of cancer. It is a common test that is
frequently used as part of a general physical exam.
may request a WBC count and differential if they suspect have one of several
conditions, including:

• anemia
• infection
• leukemia

Both tests can help determine if symptoms are due to high or low WBC levels,
which will help understand what condition may have. WBC counts can also be
used to monitor certain disease processes and illnesses.

Neutrophils

The body produces neutrophils in the bone marrow, and they account for 55–70
percent of all white blood cells in the bloodstream. A normal overall white blood
cell level in the bloodstream for an adult is somewhere between 4,500 and 11,000
per millimeters cubed (mm3).

When there is an infection or another source of inflammation in the body, special

chemicals alert mature neutrophils, which then leave the bone marrow and travel
through the bloodstream to the site in need.

Unlike some other cells or blood components, neutrophils can travel through
junctions in the cells that line blood vessel walls and enter into tissues directly.
An increase in neutrophils in your blood may be caused by:

1acute stress 2- infection 3-gout 4-rheumatoid arthritis 5-thyroiditis 6-trauma7-

pregnancy

A decrease in neutrophils in your blood may be caused by:

1anemia 2-bacterial infection 3-chemotherapy 4-influenza or other viral illnesses 5-

radiation exposure

Eosinophils

Eosinophils are formed exclusively in the bone marrow where they spend about 8
days in the process of maturation before moving into the blood vessels. They travel
through the vessels for 8 to 12 hours before they finally arrive at destination tissues,
where they remain for 1 to 2 weeks. Interleukin 5 (IL-5) appears to be the major
growth factor for this type of cell.

The functions of the eosinophil are varied, some of which are very similar to other
white blood cells. They are implicated in numerous inflammatory processes,
especially allergic disorders. In addition, eosinophils may have a physiological role
in organ formation (e. g. postgestational mammary gland development).
Eosinophilic functions include: movement to inflamed areas, trapping substances,
killing cells, anti-parasitic and bactericidal activity, participating in immediate
allergic reactions, and modulating inflammatory responses.
Elevations in eosinophil counts are associated with:

• Allergic reactions
• Parasite infections
• Chronic skin infections
• Some cancers

Decreases in eosinophil counts are associated with:

• Stress
• Steroid exposure
• Anything that may suppress WBC production generally

Basophils

Basophils are a type of white blood cell called a granulocyte.. Granulocyte cells
contain granules, which they use to secrete important substances. The granules inside
basophils contain heparin, histamine, and other molecules that play a role
in inflammation. Basophils are necessary for the immune system’s natural response
to invaders, such as infectious germs. The body’s response to allergens also involves
basophils. When a potentially harmful allergen enters the body, the immune system
responds by trying to isolate and eliminate the allergen. When responding to an
allergen, basophils that sustain damage will release histamine, which is partially
responsible for inflammation during an allergic reaction.

Additionally, basophils play an integral role in preventing blood clotting. The

heparin inside the cells is a form of natural blood thinner that helps keep the blood
flowing through the body.
Elevations in basophil counts are associated with:

• Some cancers
• Some allergic reactions
• Some infections
• Radiation exposure

Diminished basophil counts are associated with:

• Stress reactions
• Some allergic reactions
• Hyperthyroidism
• Prolonged steroid exposure

Monocytes
Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and then enter the blood, where they
account for about 1 to 10% of the circulating white blood cells (200 to 600
monocytes per microliter of blood [0.2 to 0.6 × 10 9 per liter]). After a few hours in
the blood, monocytes migrate to tissues (such as spleen, liver, lungs, and bone
marrow tissue), where they mature into macrophages.

Macrophages are the main scavenger cells of the immune system. Certain genetic
abnormalities affect the function of monocytes and macrophages and cause buildup
of fatty (lipid) debris within the cells. The resulting disorders are the lipid storage
diseases (such as Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick disease).
Increased monocyte counts are associated with:

• Recovery from an acute infection

• Viral illness
• Parasitic infections
• Collagen disease
• Some cancers

Decreased monocyte counts are associated with:

• HIV infection
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Steroid exposure
• Some cancers

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are cells that circulate in your blood that are part of the immune
system. There are two main types lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. B cells produce
antibody molecules that can latch on and destroy invading viruses or bacteria.

T cells are direct fighters of foreign invaders and also produced cytokines, which are
biological substances that help activate other parts of the immune system. One such
part is called macrophages. These macrophages act to clean up the invaders and the
dead tissue after an immune response
Increased numbers of lymphocytes are seen in:

• Most viral infections

• Some bacterial infections
• Some cancers
• Graves' disease

Decreased numbers of lymphocytes are seen in:

• Steroid exposure
• Some cancers
• Immunodeficiency
• Renal failure
• Lupus