Leukocytes are white cells present in the blood and in the lymphatic system. Their main function is to protect the body from various infection and diseases. They are produced in the bone marrow.
There are five types of leucocytes; neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and monocytes.
- Neutropils: defend the body from bacteria.
- Lymphocytes: involved in forming antibodies, act on viral infection by killing them, boost the immune response.
- Eosinophils: they are useful to respond various allergies.
- Monocytes act on various bacteria.
- Basophils: it releases histamine in allergic manifestation.
Normal leukocyte count is between 4000 to 10000/cmm. When the count of white blood cells is lower than 4000, it is termed as leucopenia.
Causes of Leucopenia
- Viral diseases such as dengue, influenza etc.
- Typhoid.
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Aplastic anemia,
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Leukemia.
- Deficiency of minerals.
- Folic acid deficiency.
Symptoms of Leucopenia
- It is identified by doing a blood count.
- It is the disease condition which manifests different symptoms. Leucopenia is present in such condition; fever, tiredness, breathing difficulty, stomatitis, bleeding from gums, diarrhea etc can be seen in diseases where leucopenia is present.
Treatment For Leucopenia
- The main focus is to treat the condition which has caused leucopenia in the blood. Various investigations are carried out to find the cause of leucopenia, and then treat the condition.
- Treating the disease will make the leukocyte rise in the blood.For e.g. in typhoid, a successful treatment with antibacterial therapy will help to increase white blood cell count.
- Vitamins and steroids are used in some condition to increase the leukocytes count.