Everything about Leukopenia totally explained
Leukopenia (or
leukocytopenia, or
leucopenia, from
Greek λευκό-white and
πενία-deficiency) is a decrease in the number of circulating
white blood cells (leukocytes) in the
blood. As the principal function of white cells is to combat
infection, a decrease in the number of these cells can place patients at increased risk for
infection.
In
pancytopenia, the other cell types in the blood (
red blood cells and
platelets) are similarly affected.
Neutropenia is a decrease in the number of circulating
neutrophil granulocytes, the most abundant white blood cells. The terms
leukopenia and
neutropenia may occasionally be used interchangeably, as the neutrophil count is the most important indicator of infection risk. However, neutropenia is more properly considered a subset of leukopenia as a whole.
Causes
Low white cell counts are associated with
chemotherapy,
radiation therapy,
leukemia (as malignant cells overwhelm the bone marrow),
myelofibrosis and
aplastic anemia (failure of white and red cell creation, along with poor platelet production). In addition, many common
medications can cause leukopenia.
Other causes of low white blood cell count include: Influenza, systemic lupus erythematosus, typhus, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, dengue, Rickettsial infections, enlargement of the spleen, folate deficiencies and sepsis. Many other causes exist, such as a deficiency in certain minerals such as copper and zinc.
Diagnosis
Leukopenia can be identified with a
complete blood count.
Medications causing leukopenia
Some medications can have an impact on the number and function of white blood cells. Medications which can cause leukopenia include
clozapine, an
antipsychotic medication with a rare adverse effect leading to the total absence of all granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils). Other medications include
immunosuppressive drugs, such as
sirolimus,
mycophenolate mofetil,
tacrolimus, and
cyclosporine.
Interferons used to treat
multiple sclerosis, like
Rebif,
Avonex, and
Betaseron, can also cause leukopenia.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Leukopenia'.
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