Lymphocytosis - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Lymphocytosis

Lymphocytosis is an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood above 37%. Lymphocytes are blood cells from the leukocyte group. They perform the most important function in the body - they provide human immune protection. Therefore, a change in their number towards an increase is an alarming signal that may indicate pathological processes.

The thymus (before the onset of human puberty) and the bone marrow are responsible for the formation of lymphocytes. In these organs, cells divide and simply exist. Also, a person has secondary lymphoid organs - these are lymph nodes, spleen and formations in the digestive tract. They contain the overwhelming majority of lymphocytes. In the spleen, these cells are stored and die.

Depending on the type of cells, lymphocytes perform the following functions in the body:

• They produce immunoglobulins that are designed to protect humans from pathogens. This is what B-lymphocytes do. They guarantee long-term or even lifelong immunity to various diseases.
• T-lymphocytes are involved in the elimination of viruses and parasites. They are responsible for the strength of the body's immune response to infection.
• NK lymphocytes destroy cancer cells.

Lymphocyte count rates will vary depending on the person's age. Absolute values of lymphocytes:

• Newborn babies and infants: 0.8-9 * 10 ⁹ cells / liter.
• Older children: 0.8-8 * 10 ⁹ cells / liter.
• Adults, regardless of gender: 0.8-4 * 10 ⁹ cells / liter.

Relative values of lymphocytes:

• Newborns: 15-35%
• Under the age of one year: 45-70%.
• Older children: 30-50%
• Adults: 30-40%.

In connection with the available data, lymphocytosis is distinguished between relative and absolute. Absolute lymphocytosis is indicated in the case when the number of lymphocytes exceeds age norms. Therefore, they speak of lymphocytosis in an adult when the level of lymphocytes exceeds 4 * 10 ⁹ cells per liter.

Relative lymphocytosis is indicated if there is a numerical predominance of lymphocytes. This can happen when the level of neutrophils increases. In this case, the absolute values of lymphocytes can remain within the normal range. In this case, doctors talk about leukopenia with neutropenia.

If the level of neutrophils is reduced, and the level of lymphocytes is increased in percentage values, then it is not always possible to make a correct diagnosis. Therefore, doctors are more interested in the absolute indicator of their level.

Content:

• Causes of lymphocytosis
• Symptoms of lymphocytosis
• How is lymphocytosis diagnosed?
• Lymphocytosis treatment

Causes of lymphocytosis

The causes of lymphocytosis can be as follows:

• Stressful conditions, jumps in the level of hormones in the body. In addition, physical activity and menstrual bleeding in a woman can cause an increase in the level of lymphocytes. Such lymphocytosis is temporary and goes away on its own.
• Tobacco smoking for many years. If a person suffers from this addiction, then the level of his lymphocytes can remain stably high. In parallel, erythrocytosis is observed.

• Infectious diseases with the defeat of the body by viruses, bacteria or parasites. In this case, the immune system is quickly activated. If the infection is bacterial in nature, then the level of neutrophils in the blood increases, and with a viral infection, the number of lymphocytes increases. Therefore, any viral infection is accompanied by lymphocytosis. This indicates the activation of the body's defenses and its active resistance to the disease. The elevated lymphocyte count will persist until recovery occurs. Mononucleosis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, syphilis and some other bacterial infections of the chronic course can lead to lymphocytosis.
• Blood cancer: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When the bone marrow is damaged, immature lymphoblasts are formed in it, which cannot become full-fledged lymphocytes. These cells are unable to form normal immunity, so a person begins to suffer from various infections. Moreover, he will be ill for a long time. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia most often develops in childhood; in adults, pathology is less common. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the number of mature lymphocytes in the bone marrow increases, but they are unable to perform their functions.
• Thyrotoxicosis. Lymphocytes take part in the immune reactions of the body, proceeding in a slow manner. Therefore, an increase in their number in the blood may indicate autoimmune processes. Thyrotoxicosis is one of the striking examples of such a disorder. In addition, other autoimmune processes may also be accompanied by lymphocytosis: Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
• Intoxication of the body with lead, arsenic or carbon disulfide. In case of poisoning, relative lymphocytosis is observed, at this time it is important to monitor the level of neutrophils in order to prevent a sharp drop in immunity.
• Undergoing therapy with a number of drugs. The use of drugs such as Levomycetin, Levodopa, Phenytoin, Valproic acid, some analgesics can lead to lymphocytosis.
• Splenectomy. Removal of the spleen is an operation that can be performed in a hospital only for certain reasons. Its absence in the body can provoke a temporary increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood. Then the internal systems adapt and the blood counts return to normal.

Symptoms of lymphocytosis

Lymphocytosis is not an independent pathology, but only a consequence of any disturbances or changes in the body. Therefore, the symptoms of an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood will be determined by the symptoms of the underlying disease.

With viral infections, an increase in body temperature, sore throat, intestinal disorders, skin rashes, etc. come to the fore. In addition to lymphocytosis, the patient will also have other abnormalities in blood counts.

With tumors of the hematopoietic tissue, patients develop bone pain, the body temperature will remain elevated all the time. Bleeding increases, immunity decreases.

With lymphocytosis and neutropenia, there is a high probability of a viral infection, such as: whooping cough, acute respiratory viral infection, diphtheria, sepsis, etc. With lymphocytosis and monocytopenia, it makes sense to suspect measles, chickenpox, mumps. If monocytes and lymphocytes are significantly higher than the norm, then the patient should be checked for monocytic leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

With infectious mononucleosis, the patient's body temperature rises, a sore throat appears, lymph nodes increase in size, weakness and sweating increase, especially at night. The disease is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus.

Serious poisoning and bacterial infections increase the absolute and relative lymphocyte count. That said, the leap can be quite impressive.

Chronic lymphocytosis, which persists in a person for a long time period, may be a sign of a sluggish infection, immunodeficiency, or a developing cancer. As a rule, the immunity of such patients is reduced, they are sick for a long time and often, suffer from constant weakness. Body temperature can be kept at the level of subfebrile values.

At the same time, a long-term slight increase in the level of lymphocytes in healthy people is possible. Experts do not exclude that this may be due to the individual characteristics of the organism.

Lymphocytosis in a child

After the baby is born, his blood neutrophil counts will be increased. By about the 10th day of life, the level of lymphocytes begins to rise, their percentage is about 60% of all blood cells. A similar picture will be observed up to 5-7 years. In the future, the values of lymphocytes will return to normal and approach those of an adult. Therefore, lymphocytosis in a young child is a variant of the norm and is not any pathological sign.

Most often, the child's body reacts to any infection with a significant jump in the level of lymphocytes. Moreover, other blood cells will remain within normal limits. Leukocytosis can be caused by chickenpox, measles, mononucleosis, influenza, rubella and other infectious diseases. After their elimination, the level of lymphocytes will return to their age norm. If this does not happen, or lymphocytosis persists for a long time, it makes sense to undergo a comprehensive examination.

How is lymphocytosis diagnosed?

To diagnose lymphocytosis in a person, it is necessary to pass a clinical blood test. In past years, laboratory technicians performed all calculations manually by examining a blood smear under a microscope. Modern laboratories are equipped with automated devices that do this job. Therefore, the indicators of lymphocytes may differ in the same person, depending on how exactly they were counted.

If the doctor has any doubts, then he may prescribe another blood test with the calculation of the absolute value of lymphocytes. The existing deviations from the norm are compared with specific symptoms that bother the patient. Additional examinations are prescribed as necessary.

Lymphocytosis treatment

There is no cure for lymphocytosis, since this condition is not an independent disease. Therapy is determined by the cause that provoked an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood.

For acute infections, antiviral drugs or antibiotics are prescribed. Antifungal agents may be required. For a speedy recovery, you need to drink as much liquid as possible, in parallel, symptomatic treatment is carried out aimed at lowering body temperature, eliminating pain, relieving intoxication, etc.

When a malignant tumor is detected, the patient is prescribed cytostatics, immunosuppressants. In order to prevent the addition of complications, the patient is prescribed fungicides and antibiotics.

To prevent the development of lymphocytosis, it is necessary to direct efforts to strengthen the immune system, lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, and temper. During periods of outbreaks of viral infections, you should avoid crowded places, wash your hands with soap, and take vitamin and mineral complexes.

Lymphocytosis is not a cause for panic. Most likely, after getting rid of the disease, the lymphocytes will return to normal on their own. In any case, with the appearance of inexplicable weakness, with prolonged subfebrile condition and other pathological symptoms, you need to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination. The sooner treatment is prescribed, the higher the chances of a speedy recovery.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".