Lymphocytes are a type of defense cells in the body, also known as white blood cells, which are produced in greater numbers in case of infection and therefore are a good indicator of the patient’s health.
Normally, the number of lymphocytes can be assessed by a blood test, and when they are enlarged, it is usually a sign of infection and therefore it is recommended to visit a GP to diagnose the problem. and initiate appropriate treatment.
- Normal reference values for lymphocytes are between 1000 and 5000 lymphocytes per mm³ of blood.
- Which represents 20 to 50% of the relative count.
- And can vary depending on the laboratory in which the test is performed.
- When the values are higher or lower than the reference value.
- A picture of lymphocytosis or lymphopenia is characterized.
- Respectively.
The number of lymphocytes above the reference values is called lymphocytosis and is usually related to infectious processes, so the main causes of elevated lymphocytes are:
In addition, the increase in the number of lymphocytes can also occur due to physiological situations, such as pregnant and lactating women, in addition to nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin C, D or calcium deficiency.
The number of lymphocytes below the reference values is called lymphopenia and is often linked to situations that involve the bone marrow, such as aplastic anemia or leukemia, for example, and lymphopenia can also be a sign of autoimmune diseases, in which the body itself acts. against the immune system, such as disseminated lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Lymphopenia can still occur as a result of AIDS, treatment with immunosuppressive drugs or chemotherapy or radiation therapy, rare genetic diseases, or stressful situations, such as postoperative and body overload, for example.
There are 2 main types of lymphocytes in the body, B lymphocytes, which are immature 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 they develop in the thymus until they are divided into 3 groups:
However, lymphocyte type tests, especially CD4 or CD8 type, should always be interpreted by a doctor to assess whether there is a risk of contracting HIV, for example, since other diseases can also cause the same type. alterations.
Therefore, if you have doubts about HIV infection, it is advisable to perform the laboratory test that looks for the virus in the body’s cells. Learn more about HIV testing.
Atypical lymphocytes are lymphocytes that have a varied shape and usually occur in infections, mainly viral, such as mononucleosis, herpes, AIDS, rubella and chickenpox. In addition to the development of viral infections, atypical lymphocytes can be identified in the blood formula when there is a bacterial infection, such as tuberculosis and syphilis, a protozoa infection, such as toxoplasmosis, when there is hypersensitivity to drugs or in autoimmune diseases, such as lupus.
Typically, the number of these lymphocytes returns to normal (the reference value for atypical lymphocytes is 0%) when the agent responsible for the infection is eliminated.
These lymphocytes are considered to be activated T lymphocytes that are produced in response to infected type B lymphocytes and perform the same functions as typical lymphocytes in the immune response. Atypical lymphocytes are usually larger than normal lymphocytes and vary in shape.