Often, when passing a blood test, it turns out that lymphocytes are elevated in human blood . What does such an unpleasant situation indicate? Lymphocytes are called cells of the protective (immune) system. They are produced by the bone marrow of our body. These cells are responsible for the recognition of any foreign microorganisms and the corresponding reaction to them. In order to find out the reason for the increase in their blood level, it is necessary to understand what such a blood test shows. Lymphocytes are elevated in many cases, but it’s worth understanding their essence.
There are several types of these cells. So T-lymphocytes formed in the thymus gland (thymus) are responsible for determining the specific type of microorganism. It is on these cells that a timely and accurate response to the penetration of pathogens depends. These lymphocytes are divided into "killers", inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, as well as destroying the affected cells of the body; "Helpers" that enhance immunity, and "suppressors" that suppress the immune system response. This type of lymphocyte accounts for about 80% of their total number.
B-lymphocytes are produced by the lymphoid tissues of the lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen and small intestine. They produce antibodies (special proteins) that find viruses, tumor cells, bacteria and destroy them. The number of these bodies can reach a specific gravity of 15% (of all lymphocytes).
Least of all in human blood is NK-lymphocytes. Their number does not exceed 10%. These cells are responsible for preventing various tumors and infections.
In a healthy person, lymphocytes normally account for up to 36-40% of the total number of leukocytes. Such data in the analysis are recorded in absolute terms as follows: 1.0-3.6 * 10 (9) / L. It is within these limits that the number of lymphocytes is considered normal. In childhood, their level varies greatly and can vary. In infancy, it is from 9 to 32 * 10 (9) / l. With age, these indicators decrease and by age 18 reach absolute values of 1-4 * 10 (9) / l.
Lymphocytes are elevated during viral infections (influenza, viral hepatitis, pertussis, measles, rubella), non-viral infections (diphtheria, malaria, typhoid fever, syphilis), tocoplasmosis, blood diseases (lymphocytic leukemia, lymphosarcoma). Sometimes the increase in the number of such cells in the blood is due to medication.
Lymphocytes are elevated in a state of lymphocytosis. It indicates an increase in the number of these cells in the blood, which circulates outside the hematopoietic organs. It is classified into 2 types: absolute and relative. The emergence of a particular species depends on the disease occurring in the body. Relative lymphocytosis, or an increase in the proportion of lymphocyte concentration with a completely normal absolute amount, is most common. It appears in diseases that are characterized by a decrease in other types of white blood cells. Such lymphocytosis is characteristic of viral infections, inflammatory diseases, typhoid fever, brucellosis.
Absolute lymphocytosis indicates an absolute increase in the number of lymphocytes. It is observed in acute infections. It is characteristic of rubella, measles, scarlet fever, tuberculosis. It appears with lymphosarcoma.
In chronic infections and inflammation, accompanied by infiltration of the lesion by the lymphocytes themselves, both types of lymphocytosis in the blood can be observed.
If the lymphocytes are elevated in an adult, this may also indicate diseases such as infectious mononucleosis, viral hepatitis, secondary syphilis, bronchial asthma, viral hepatitis, serum sickness, endocrine diseases, Addison’s disease, thymic hyperplasia. Often this condition appears with B12-deficient anemia, decreased ACTH and GK, prolonged fasting, ovarian hypofunction, acromegaly.