Leukopenia, also known as a low white blood cell count, is a medical condition that can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Because low white blood cell count can increase susceptibility to infections, it is important to find and address the underlying cause of the condition. This is done with simple blood tests that help doctors determine how leukopenia should be treated.
Types of WBC
Several types of white blood cells protect the body against infectious organisms. Monocytes and neutrophils are phagocytic, which means that they engulf and destroy infectious organisms. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that produce antibodies and destroy abnormal cells. Eosinophils control the body's reaction to parasites and allergens. Basophils also seem to be involved in allergic responses, but according to Pat Hogan from the University of Pittsburgh, their role in allergic response is not understood very well.
Significance
The presence of a low white blood cell count is significant because it means that the body's immune response is diminished. With a low white blood cell count, the body cannot fight infection as efficiently, leaving someone with this condition vulnerable to overwhelming infections that can have serious long-term effects. Having a low white blood cell count makes it necessary to take specific precautions to avoid contracting illnesses. Hand washing becomes very important, and it may be necessary to wear a face mask around anyone who has a cold or other sickness.
Causes
Any condition that affects bone marrow function can cause a low blood count, because white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Examples of such conditions include viral infections, aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. According to the Mayo Clinic, autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause low white blood counts. Drugs that suppress bone marrow function and serious infectious that use up white blood cells faster than they can be produced are also known causes of leukopenia.
Signs and Symptoms
According to physicians from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, low white blood count may not cause any specific signs and symptoms. Instead, someone with a low white cell count might notice the signs and symptoms of an infection, which prompts a visit to a doctor for evaluation. Report cough, sore throat, shaking, chills, frequent urination, painful urination, flu-like symptoms and fever to a physician so that a diagnosis can be made.
Diagnosis
Low white blood count can be diagnosed with a simple blood test known as the white blood cell count (WBC count). This test requires a sample of blood from one of the veins. The blood sample is analyzed to determine how many white blood cells are present. The complete blood count (CBC) can also be used to diagnose a low white blood cell count. This test determines the number of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in the blood. The CBC with differential also determines the numbers of each different type of blood cell present. The results of this test list the number of monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils in the blood.
Treatment
Low white blood count can be treated with colony-stimulating factor and growth factors. Colony-stimulating factor speeds up the development of leukocytes and can reduce susceptibility to infection. Growth factors can stimulate white blood cell production, but they need to be used with caution in people who have tumors that affect the bone marrow. Use of growth factors can speed up the growth of cancerous cells. According to Oncology Channel, G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor) can be used to stimulate neutrophil production. GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) stimulates the growth of several types of white blood cells.
