LEUKEMOID REACTION

SNEHA GIRISH
137
CONTENTS

 DEFINITION
 TYPES AND ITS CAUSES
 MECHANISM
 CLINICAL PRESENTATION
 DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION
 TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT
 COMPLICATIONS
 CONCLUSION
DEFINITION
A benign condition characterized by an increase in the total white blood cell count, resembling leukemia

How to differentiate it from leukemia?

It is a reactive response rather than a neoplastic process
TYPES

MYELOID
LYMPHOID
MYELOID LEUKEMOID REACTION

It is caused by
Severe bacterial infections:
 staphylococcal pneumonia
 endocarditis
 meningitis
Septicemia
MYELOID TYPE CAUSES-

Intoxications
Eclampsia
Severeburns
Mercury poisoning
MYELOID TYPE CAUSES-

Malignancy :
Mulitiple myeloma
Hodgkin lymphoma
Bone marrow metastasis
MYELOID TYPE CAUSES

Severehaemorrhage and
haemolysis
LYMPHOID LEUKEMOID REACTION

CAUSED BY
INFECTIONS:

Viral: infectious mononucleosis,

cytomegaloviral infections
Bacterial: Tuberculosis, Whooping
cough

MECHANISM

Excessive production of
granulocytes in response to stimuli
Granulocytes with a left shift :
Increased immature and mature
neutrophils
CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Elevated white blood cell count:

often exceeding 50,000/microlitre
Left shift: Increased number of
mature and immature granulocytes.
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION

Peripheral blood smear:

Microscopic examination to
observe the morphology of blood
cells.
Bone marrow biopsy : May be
performed to rule out leukemia and
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Targeting the underlying cause is the key

Supportive care: Managing symptoms
and complications.
Prognosis: Favorable, as it resolves with
successful treatment of the triggering
condition
COMPLICATIONS

Though generally benign,

complications can arise from the
underlying cause
The role of early identification and
prompt treatment.
CONCLUSION

Leukemoid reaction is a reactive response

to various stimuli.
Differential diagnosis and comprehensive
evaluation are crucial.
Prognosis is generally favourable with
effective treatment of the underlying cause.
REFERENCES

Robbins and Cotran pathological

basis of disease
Ramdas Nayak Exam Preparatory
Manual
THANK YOU