Leukocytosis in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment

Shekinah

Natalya Nikolaevna

15 years of experience

General practitioner

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While still at school, children learn about white blood cells and the importance of the many functions they perform in the body. However, an excess of even such useful enzymes in the blood can create health problems. What kind of disease is this in adults - leukocytosis?

Leukocytosis is a process of changes in the composition of the blood, which results in an increase in the number of leukocytes. For adults, the norm for leukocytes is considered to be 9000 in 1 μl of peripheral blood. Exceeding these values ​​may indicate a problem. The changes that occur in the composition of the blood are the body’s protection against certain influencing factors. For specialists, an increase in the number of leukocytes becomes one of the important signs when diagnosing a number of pathologies.

Main causes of leukocytosis

There are many factors that can influence changes in blood composition. The following are various causes of leukocytosis in the blood in adults.

Often the disease is provoked by infections. One of the main functions of leukocytes is to maintain anti-infective immunity. Therefore, the appearance of foreign pathogens in the body leads to an increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood. Different types of pathogenic microorganisms provoke different types of leukocytosis.

With the bacterial type, the number of neutrophils and monocytes increases. Their action in fighting infections can be compared to an “oxygen explosion” that literally destroys hostile pathogens.

Viral infections provoke an increase in lymphocytes. This type of leukocyte produces specific antibodies to trigger the apoptosis mechanism in viral cells.

Helminthic infestations – the level of eosinophils changes. They contain a cationic protein that can act on helminths that have infected the body and negatively affect the metabolic processes within them.

The causes of leukocytosis can be systemic diseases:

• diffuse connective tissue diseases (for example, dermatomyositis or systemic lupus erythematosus);
• joint diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, etc.);
• systemic vasculitis (giant cell arteritis, nonspecific aortoarteritis).

The exact mechanism of leukocytosis in systemic diseases has not been established. Presumably, the production of leukocytes is provoked by cytokines and mediators that are formed during the process of rheumatic inflammation.

Allergies become the main cause of the development of eosinophilic leukocytosis.

Blood diseases - pathologies such as leukemia, polycythemia, lymphomas, cause the development of hyperleukocytosis. It develops against the background of oncological transformations occurring in bone marrow stem cells. As a rule, the result is severe acute leukocytosis.

Other causes of leukocytosis:

• endocrine type disorders;
• lesions that cause large-scale tissue destruction (for example, extensive burns);
• various types of toxic effects on the bone marrow;
• malignant neoplasms;
• primary immunodeficiency;
• diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract;
• diseases of dermatological type, etc.

Correction

Constitutional leukopenia does not require any intervention. If the development of this deviation is caused by a drug, its immediate discontinuation is necessary. With a pronounced decrease in leukocytes or agranulocytosis, they resort to the introduction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or infusion of donor granulocytes. The main condition for successful therapy is treatment of the underlying pathology:

• Elimination of the pathogen.
  Oseltamivir is used to treat influenza, and antiretroviral drugs (zidovudine, saquinavir) are used to combat HIV infection. For bacterial infections, antibiotics are prescribed.
• Anti-inflammatory therapy.
  To achieve remission of autoimmune diseases, glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives are used.
• Chemotherapy.
  If oncohematological pathology is confirmed, combinations of chemotherapeutic agents are prescribed - chlorambucil, vincristine, etoposide.
• Bone marrow transplantation.
  In case of ineffectiveness of chemotherapy for hematological malignancies, as well as in severe primary neutropenia, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is performed.

Complications

Since this disease is not independent, it also cannot be a predictor of any complications or consequences. All consequences that occur in the patient (including death) are directly related to the disease against which leukocytosis developed. Therefore, a serious excess of any type of leukocytes in the blood is a reason to conduct an in-depth examination to find out the true cause. Such a need may arise even if a person feels absolutely healthy.

Classification of leukocytosis

A shift in leukocytosis does not always indicate a disease. According to biological characteristics, two types are distinguished:

• physiological leukocytosis;
• pathological increase in leukocytosis.

The physiological type is the norm of leukocytosis. It occurs in absolutely everyone and does not pose any danger. In certain circumstances, even a healthy person has moments in everyday life when an increase in white blood cells occurs. Factors influencing this physiological process may be different. For example, there is the concept of food reactive leukocytosis. As a rule, it occurs 2-3 hours after eating. Another common factor is playing sports or other intense physical activity. As a result of muscle work, the level of leukocytes temporarily increases. The physiological type of leukocytosis in women during pregnancy is a completely normal phenomenon during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Pathological leukocytosis in the blood develops against the background of diseases, therefore, correction of the level of leukocytes is carried out by treating the disease against which it developed.

The following types of leukocytosis are distinguished.

Depending on the degree of increase in the level of leukocytes:

• moderate leukocytosis - an increase in the level from normal to 15,000;
• high leukocytosis – level range from 15,000 to 50,000;
• hyperleukocytosis - the concentration level exceeds 50,000. This degree of the disease is characterized by the presence of a large number of unformed white cells;

By type of leukocytes that exceeded the norm:

• neutrophilic or neutrophilia. The excess of neutrophils is more than 75%. Changes can be provoked by suppurative processes, as well as various bacterial infections;
• lymphocytic or lymphocytosis. The level of lymphocytes exceeds 38% in adults (for children under 7 years of age, this figure is 55%). The cause may be lymphoproliferative diseases, as well as viral infections;
• monocytic or monocytosis. The level of monocytes exceeds 10%. Common causes include septic endocarditis, granulomatous processes, protozoal infections;
• eosinophilic or eosinophilia. Exceeding the norm is more than 5%. The cause may be allergic reactions, a number of lung diseases, helminthic infestations, etc.;
• basophilic or basophilia. Basophil level more than 1%. This shift in leukocytosis is very rare. Among the causes, experts identify nonspecific ulcerative colitis, polycythemia vera, and allergies.

Where are they formed and how long do they live?

The bulk of white cells, namely granulocytes, are produced by red bone marrow from stem cells. From the maternal (stem) cell, a precursor cell is formed, then passes into a leukopoetin-sensitive cell, which, under the influence of a specific hormone, develops along the leukocyte (white) series: myeloblasts - promyelocytes - myelocytes - metamyelocytes (young forms) - rods - segmented. Immature forms are found in the bone marrow, mature forms enter the bloodstream. Granulocytes live for about 10 days.

• Clinical blood analysis: from light microscope to hematological analyzers

The lymph nodes produce lymphocytes and a significant proportion of monocytes. Some agranulocytes from the lymphatic system enter the blood, which transports them to the organs. Lymphocytes live a long time - from several days to several months and years. The lifespan of monocytes ranges from several hours to 2-4 days.

Symptoms and signs of leukocytosis

An increase in the level of leukocytes cannot be considered as an independent disease. It always develops against the background of another disease, and therefore does not have its own symptoms and clinical manifestations. Often, in the early stages, leukocytosis in men and women has no symptoms; a person may even think that he is completely healthy. However, there are a number of symptoms that you should pay attention to. Especially if a person cannot explain their nature, for example:

• elevated body temperature for a long time;
• frequent bruising and bleeding;
• general weakness, feeling of malaise;
• frequent dizziness or fainting;
• tingling and pain in the limbs;
• loss of appetite or weight loss for no apparent reason.

Are you experiencing symptoms of leukocytosis?

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When to see a doctor

If you experience a general feeling of malaise or one of the symptoms described above for no apparent reason, you should consult a specialist. Such symptoms are characteristic of a large number of diseases and can also be a sign of leukocytosis. Therefore, you should contact a competent specialist for advice. JSC “Medicine” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) employs experienced specialists with extensive experience and high qualifications. The clinic is located in the center of Moscow: 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskaya lane, 10.

Diagnosis of leukocytosis

The diagnosis of leukocytosis is established based on the results of a clinical blood test. An appointment with a general practitioner takes place in two stages: taking an anamnesis and examining the patient. After analyzing the data obtained, the doctor prescribes additional studies to identify and confirm the disease that caused leukocytosis.

Let's consider the types of possible research.

• Detailed blood test and biochemical blood test. Leukocytosis is determined in the blood smear for the presence of toxic granularity of neutrophils, as well as atypical mononuclear cells.
• Detection of the pathogen using bacterial culture of blood, urine, and sputum. Identification of the pathogen will allow the exact cause to be determined and effective treatment to be prescribed.
• Allergy diagnostics. To confirm the allergic nature of leukocytosis, studies measure the level of immunoglobulin E using ELISA. Skin and provocative allergy tests may also be performed.
• Radiography. This method can be used to examine chest organs, joints, etc.
• Ultrasound. An effective diagnostic method for a large number of diseases. Ultrasound helps to identify, for example, an increase in the size of the kidneys, compaction of the pyelocaliceal system, it is also important for identifying vegetation on the valves, etc.

Research in our clinic is carried out using the most modern equipment, as quickly as possible.

Revealing

The syndrome may not have pronounced symptoms. If this form is mild, they will not exist at all. If the number of white blood cells decreases significantly, infectious pathologies will begin to develop.

One of the symptoms of the syndrome is a feverish state. This is due to infectious effects, the body’s reaction to chemotherapy drugs taken, or a tumor.

Among the symptoms of the syndrome:

• Feeling weak;
• State of dizziness;
• The mucous membranes bleed;
• Hemorrhages appear on the skin, some others.

Serious infectious consequences include sepsis and septic shock.

A low white blood cell count is detected by a blood test.

Pulmonary hemorrhage

Treatment of leukocytosis

Features and causes of appearance do not provide for symptomatic treatment of leukocytosis. Therapy is prescribed after the underlying disease has been established, the development and progression of which has provoked a jump in the level of leukocytes. Accordingly, treatment methods in each individual case will be very individual.

Antibiotics are used to treat infectious diseases. Steroid drugs can be used to eliminate inflammation. Reducing uric acid in the body with the help of special drugs helps prevent the destruction of body tissues, which can also cause leukocytosis, etc. When talking about the treatment of leukocytosis, we are talking about the disease that caused it.

At our multidisciplinary medical center, doctors prescribe safe and effective treatment using an individual approach and many years of experience.

Functions

The general functions of leukocytes are as follows:

1. Protective – consists in the formation of specific and nonspecific immunity. The main mechanism is phagocytosis (capture of a pathogenic microorganism by a cell and deprivation of its life).
2. Transport - lies in the ability of white cells to adsorb amino acids, enzymes and other substances found in plasma and transport them to the right places.
3. Hemostatic - involved in blood clotting.
4. Sanitary – the ability, with the help of enzymes contained in leukocytes, to dissolve tissues that have died due to injury.
5. Synthetic – the ability of some proteins to synthesize bioactive substances (heparin, histamine and others).

Each type of leukocyte has its own functions, including specific ones.

Neutrophils

The main role is to protect the body from infectious agents. These cells capture bacteria into their cytoplasm and digest them. In addition, they can produce antimicrobial substances. When an infection enters the body, they rush to the site of penetration, accumulate there in large quantities, absorb microorganisms and die themselves, turning into pus.

Eosinophils

When infected with worms, these cells penetrate the intestines, are destroyed and release toxic substances that kill the helminths. In allergies, eosinophils remove excess histamine.

Basophils

These leukocytes take part in the formation of all allergic reactions. They are called first aid for bites of poisonous insects and snakes.

Lymphocytes

They constantly patrol the body in order to detect foreign microorganisms and out-of-control cells of their own body, which can mutate, then quickly divide and form tumors. Among them there are informants - macrophages, which constantly move throughout the body, collect suspicious objects and deliver them to lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are divided into three types:

• T-lymphocytes are responsible for cellular immunity, come into contact with harmful agents and destroy them;
• B lymphocytes identify foreign microorganisms and produce antibodies against them;
• NK cells. These are real killers that maintain normal cellular composition. Their function is to recognize defective and cancer cells and destroy them.