What is a leukemoid reaction?
White blood cells are an important part of the immune system. When the immune system is activated, the number of white blood cells in the body increases; In some cases, this increase is much greater than usual. This further increase in white blood cells is referred to as leukemoid reaction .
Another name for a leukemoid reaction is transient myeloproliferative disorder . transient refers to the fact that an increased number of white blood cells is temporary, while myeloproliferative concerns the fact that a large proportion of other white blood cells are immature myelocytes. This type of cells is distinguished into cells called neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils that are important in the immune response to the early phase of the infection. While the reaction itself is not dangerous, the medical disorder that caused the reaction is often potentially harmful. There are many possible causes of leukemoid reactions.
Some types of chronic infections often cause leukemoid reactions. These include diseases like moNonucleosis, malaria and tuberculosis that may persist in an inactive state of the moon or even years. The persistence of infectious bacteria causes white blood cell levels to increase chronically.
Some types of drugs can also lead to a leukemoid reaction. Treatment with a drug called dapsone may increase the level of white blood cells; This drug is used to treat infections such as tuberculosis, small -area and malaria, as well as certain autoimmune conditions. A drug called Tretinoin, used for certain dermatological disorders, can also cause leukemoid reactions.
traumatic injury that causes bleeding also leads to an increased number of white blood cells. When this happens, the level of white blood cells tends to increase after injury for several days or more. In particular, spleen bleeding or surgical removal of the spleen can lead to an increase in white blood cells. Leukemoid reactions are common after injury or removalspleen, because the spleen is an immune organ in which a large number of white blood cells are located.
Some types of cancer, including adenocarcinoma and Hodgkin's disease, often lead to an increase in white blood cells. While leukemia also causes an increase in white blood cells, it is different from an increased number of cells caused by leukemoid reactions. Under the microscope, however, a sample of a person with a leukemoid reaction often resembles a blood pattern from someone with leukemia. This means that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two conditions.