What Is Leukopenia and How Does It Affect the Body?
Leukopenia in the greek language is split into two words that are leuco and penia. Leuco means white and penia means deficiency. So leukopenia meaning is the decrease in the number of white blood cells. They exist in the blood and are white blood cells, which are the body's main defence against infection. Therefore, leukopenia puts people at a higher risk of infection. Symptoms may include mouth or skin ulcers, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, dizziness, fever, chills, or body aches.
Neutropenia is a subtype of leukopenia, which refers to a decrease in the number of circulating neutrophils. The neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells in the body. Sometimes the terms leukopenia and neutropenia are used interchangeably because the neutrophil count is the most important indicator of the risk of infection. An agranulocytosis is an acute form of neutropenia. This is basic leukopenia meaning and leukopenia medical definition.
About Leukopenia
Leukopenia meaning is that it is a disease in which the number of white blood cells in the body is very low. Blood is mainly divided into three different categories that are erythrocytes called red blood cells (RBC), leucocytes(WBC), which are white blood cells, and thrombocytes, called platelets, all of which are made in the stem cells of the bone marrow. White blood cells are responsible for maintaining a healthy immune system, so in leukopenia, when their concentration is reduced, the system's ability to fight the disease is also hampered. Generally, a normal, healthy person has a white blood cell count of between 3,500 and 11,000 white blood cells per microliter. In the case of leukopenia, the blood characteristics of the affected individual show a significant decrease in the number of white blood cells, below 3,500 White blood cells per microliter. This always leads to a weakened immune system and increases the risk of infection, so a medical professional should be informed in order to resolve the leukopenia situation in time. There are five different types of white blood cells, each of which creates resistance to overcome different types of diseases. These are neutrophils, which can resist fungal and bacterial diseases, lymphocytes can resist viruses, basophils can fight allergens and inflammation, and monocytes can kill all pathogens, inflammation, and eosinophils. They can eradicate parasitic infections and allergies. Therefore, there are five main types of leukopenia, depending on which type of White blood cells has very few numbers.
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Leukopenia Causes
Leukopenia medical term is that it is the low white blood cell count that may be due to an acute viral infection, such as a cold or flu. It is related to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, myelofibrosis, reproductive anaemia that is insufficient production of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, stem cell transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, HIV, AIDS, and steroid use.
Leukopenia causes can be by insufficient synthesis of white blood cells in the bone marrow or by damaging factors that damage healthy white blood cells in the bloodstream.
Viral diseases such as influenza, certain blood cancers such as leukaemia, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause leukopenia. Diseases that impair the function of blood cells and bone marrow, such as overactive spleen and aplastic anaemia, can also induce leukopenia, and the main reason for leucopenia causes.
Drugs
Certain drugs can change the number and function of white blood cells. Drugs that can cause leukopenia with lymphocytosis include clozapine, an antipsychotic drug with rare side effects that can cause all granulocytes (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils) to disappear completely. Long-term use of the antidepressant and smoking addiction drug bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin) can also cause leukopenia. Minocycline is a commonly used antibiotic and another drug known to cause leukopenia with thrombocytopenia. There are also reports that divalproex sodium or valproic acid (Depakote) causes leukopenia, a drug used to treat epilepsy that are seizures, mania with bipolar disorder, and migraine. The anticonvulsant lamotrigine is associated with decreased white blood cell count. The FDA monograph on metronidazole states that this drug may also cause leukopenia, and the prescription information indicates that a complete blood count, including a differential cell count, should be taken before and after high-dose treatment, in particular. Immunosuppressive drugs, such as sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, leflunomide, and TNF inhibitors, have known complications of leukopenia. Interferons used to treat multiple cases of sclerosis, such as interferon beta-1a and interferon beta-1b, can also cause leukopenia. Chemotherapy targets fast-growing cells, such as tumours, but it can also affect white blood cells because they are characterized by the rapid growth of the bone marrow. A common side effect of cancer treatment is neutropenia, which is a reduction in neutrophils (a specific type of white blood cell). In the case of arsenic poisoning, a decrease in the white blood cell count may occur.
FAQs on Leukopenia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
1. What is leukopenia and why is it a concern for students studying biology?
Leukopenia is a medical condition characterised by a lower-than-normal number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood. For biology students, it's a key concept in understanding the circulatory and immune systems. Since white blood cells are essential for fighting infections, a reduced count, typically below 4,000 cells per microliter, significantly increases an individual's susceptibility to diseases.
2. What are the primary causes of leukopenia?
Leukopenia can result from a wide range of factors that either destroy white blood cells or disrupt their production in the bone marrow. Common causes include:
- Medical Treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are major causes as they can suppress bone marrow activity.
- Infections: Viral infections (like HIV, influenza), severe bacterial infections (sepsis), and some parasitic diseases (like malaria) can lead to a temporary or chronic drop in WBCs.
- Bone Marrow Disorders: Conditions like aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, and myelodysplastic syndromes directly affect the production of blood cells.
- Autoimmune Disorders: Diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis can cause the body's immune system to attack and destroy its own white blood cells.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Severe deficiencies in vitamins like B12, folate, copper, and zinc can impair WBC production.
3. What are the common symptoms associated with a low white blood cell count?
Leukopenia itself often has no direct symptoms. Instead, symptoms arise from the increased risk of infections due to a weakened immune system. A person with leukopenia might experience:
- Frequent fevers and chills.
- Mouth sores or ulcers.
- A persistent sore throat.
- Skin infections or abscesses.
- Unexplained fatigue and weakness.
4. How is leukopenia diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis begins with a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test, which measures the number of white blood cells. If the count is low, a doctor may order a differential count to identify which specific type of WBC is low (e.g., neutrophils in neutropenia). Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. For instance, if caused by a medication, it may be discontinued. If due to an infection, treating the infection is the priority. For bone marrow issues, treatments might include growth factors to stimulate WBC production.
5. Is leukopenia a form of cancer?
No, leukopenia itself is not a cancer. It is a condition defined by a low white blood cell count. However, it can be a symptom or a consequence of certain cancers, particularly blood cancers like leukaemia, which disrupts normal cell production in the bone marrow. It is also a very common side effect of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which are designed to kill rapidly dividing cells.
6. Why is a severely low white blood cell count considered dangerous?
A severely low white blood cell count is dangerous because it critically weakens the body's immune defence system. White blood cells, especially neutrophils, are the first line of defence against pathogens like bacteria and fungi. Without enough of them, the body cannot mount an effective response, making it vulnerable to severe, life-threatening infections from organisms that would normally be harmless. This can lead to a medical emergency like sepsis.
7. How does leukopenia differ from leukocytosis?
Leukopenia and leukocytosis are opposite conditions related to white blood cell counts.
- Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells, leading to a weakened immune system (immunosuppression).
- Leukocytosis is an increase in the number of white blood cells. It is often a normal physiological response to an infection or inflammation but can also signal a disorder like leukaemia.
8. Can diet and lifestyle choices help in managing leukopenia?
While diet and lifestyle cannot cure most underlying causes of leukopenia, they play a crucial supportive role. A doctor might recommend a special diet avoiding raw or undercooked foods to reduce exposure to bacteria. Maintaining a balanced diet rich in nutrients like vitamin B12, folate, copper, and zinc is essential for healthy bone marrow function and blood cell production. Good hygiene and avoiding potential sources of infection are also vital lifestyle measures.
