Lymphocytes are a type of leukocyte that are part of the body’s defense cells and occur in the largest corner when there is an infection, as it is an indicator of the individual’s health.
Normally, the amount of lymphocytes can be evaluated by a blood test, because when lymphocytes are raised, they are usually due to an infectious process in the body, since the main function of these cells is to react in the presence of microorganisms, tumor cells or against additional substances for the body. In these situations, it is recommended to consult an internist to diagnose the problem and begin appropriate treatment.
- Normal white blood cell values are 20 to 50% or 1500 to 5000/mm3 of blood.
- Representing 20 to 50% of the relative volume.
- These reference values may vary from lab to lab.
Lymphocytes are considered to be altered when the result of blood tests is greater or lower than baseline, considering lymphopenia as lymphopenia respectively. For what are the main causes:
The number of lymphocytes above normal values receives the number of lymphocytes and is usually related to infectious processes. For what are the main causes:
In addition to this, the increase in the number of lymphocytes could also occur due to physiological situations such as pregnant women and women during lactation, and due to nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin C deficiency, calcium deficiency.
The number of lymphocytes due to normal values is called lymphopenia and is usually related to situations involving the bone marrow such as aplastic anemia or leukemia, for example, in addition, lymphopenia may also be secondary to the presence of autoimmune diseases, where the body attacks its own immune system, as in the case of disseminated lupus erythematosus (LED).
Lymphopenia can also be caused by AIDS, immunosuppressive drug therapy, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, rare genetic diseases, or as a result of metabolic stress such as post-surgical surgery, for example.
There are two main types of lymphocytes in the body: B lymphocytes, which are mature cells produced in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream to produce antibodies against bacteria, viruses and fungi; and T cells, which are produced in the bone marrow but then develop in the last division into 3 groups:
However, problems with the type of lymphocytes, especially CD4 or CD8, should always be interpreted by a doctor to assess whether there is a risk of getting HIV, as other diseases can also cause the same type of changes.
Because there are doubts about the person with who is infected with the HIV virus, it is recommended to perform a lab test that looks for the virus in the body’s cells, he knows more about the HIV problem.
Atypical lymphocytes are lymphocytes that are varied and usually occur when there are infections, mainly viral infections such as mononucleosis, herpes, AIDS, rubella and chickenpox. In addition to viral infections, atypical lymphocytes can be identified in the blood formula in cases of a bacterial infection such as tuberculosis and syphilis, a protozoa infection such as toxoplasmosis, during drug hypersensitivity or autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Normally, the normal range of lymphocytes (the reference value for atypical lymphocytes is 0%) when the agent causing the infection is removed.
These lymphocytes are considered activated T cells that occur in response to infected B-type lymphocytes, performing the same functions as typical lymphocytes in the immune response. Atypical lymphocytes are generally larger than normal lymphocytes and their shape varies.