Liquid connective tissue has a complex composition. One of the most important elements of the blood are lymphocytes. These are cells that are essential for the normal functioning of the body's defense system. Often, people who receive the results of a blood test find an increased number of lymphocytes. It is important to understand that this does not always indicate the presence of a serious pathology, but ignoring this signal is also unacceptable.
Lymphocytes: concept
All white cells of fluid connective tissue are called white blood cells. They are divided into several groups:
- Eosinophils.
- Neutrophils.
- Monocytes.
- Basophils.
- Lymphocytes
Each of these cells perform specific functions. In this case, lymphocytes, attacking infectious agents, as a rule, do not die. Repeated action is what distinguishes them from other cells related to white blood cells. Lymphocytes can exist for many years. Their destruction occurs in the spleen.
Functions
Regarding what lymphocytes in the blood are responsible for. These elements are usually divided into the following categories:
- T cells. Their task is the recognition of protein antigens, the activation of protective forces, the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms, and the inhibition of the immune response.
- B cells. Concentrate in the lymph nodes. Their main task is to maintain humoral immunity. They are also responsible for the production of antibodies. B cells have the ability to “remember” foreign agents. In this regard, pathogens are easier to destroy when they re-enter the body.
- NK cells. Their goal is the destruction of altered body tissues. First of all, we are talking about tumor cells, as well as those that are infected with viruses.
Regarding their relationship. T cells are the most numerous. They make up about 75%. The proportion of B cells is 15%, NK is 10%.
Norm indicators
As a rule, clinics give conclusions in which relative values are displayed. In other words, this is the ratio of lymphocytes to white blood cells, expressed as a percentage.
In adults, the lower threshold is 20%, the upper - 37%. When 39% of lymphocytes are detected, it is already customary to talk about the development of a pathological process in the body.
In children, the norm indicators are constantly changing, but they are still more than in adults. For example, 39% of lymphocytes in a child is an excellent result.
Reasons for the increase in adults
Deviation of the indicator from the norm in a big way is an alarming sign. This pathological condition is called lymphocytosis. It is important to understand that this is not an independent disease, but only a sign that something is wrong in the body.
If an adult has lymphocytes 39% or higher, this may indicate the development of a viral infection. The main reasons for the deviation of the indicator up:
- Flu.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- AIDS.
- Viral hepatitis.
- Whooping cough.
- Herpes.
- Rubella.
- Measles.
- Mumps.
- Adenovirus infection.
Often, in the analysis of blood lymphocytes, 39% or more is observed in the presence of infections of a protozoal and bacterial nature. These include: toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, syphilis. But not always their development is accompanied by lymphocytosis. This is due to the fact that many pathogens are destroyed by leukocytes belonging to other groups.
The cause of the development of lymphocytosis can be pathologies of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. However, they are often malignant. Main reasons:
- Lymphoblastic leukemia of both acute and chronic nature.
- Lymphogranulomatosis.
- Myeloma
- Lymphosarcoma.
- Lymphoma
Other causes of increased lymphocytes (39% or more):
- Frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks.
- Smoking
- Addiction.
- Prolonged or uncontrolled intake of certain drugs, especially antibiotics and analgesics.
- Following the principles of a low-calorie diet.
- The abuse of carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Allergies.
- Hyperthyroidism
- Intoxication of the body, resulting from poisoning by arsenic, lead and carbon disulfide.
- Significant weakening of the immune system.
- Disorders of the endocrine organs.
- Oncological diseases at an early stage.
- Staying long under stress.
- Neurasthenia.
- Vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Splenectomy.
- Various kinds of injuries and injuries.
- Radiation damage.
- Vaccination.
- High-intensity physical activity.
- Systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Crohn's disease.
If lymphocytes in the blood are detected 39% or more, a comprehensive examination is necessary. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor will be able to identify the cause of the deviation of the indicator from the norm upwards.
Not always elevated lymphocytes in the blood of an adult indicate the development of pathology. Deviation of the indicator from the norm is detected some more time after recovery. In this case, we are talking about post-infection lymphocytosis.
Reasons for the increase in children
The younger the child, the higher the upper limit of normal lymphocytes. In newborns, the indicator should not be more than 70%. In 1-2 years, the upper limit is 60%. In children from 2 to 10 years, the number of lymphocytes should not exceed 50%, in adolescents under 18 years old - 44%.
If the indicator deviates from the norm upward, the doctor may suspect the presence of any pathological process in the patient's body. The main causes of lymphocytosis in children:
- Franklin's disease.
- Leukemia
- Lymphosarcoma.
- ARVI.
- Hepatitis.
- Cytomegalovirus.
- Toxoplasmosis.
- Herpes.
- Whooping cough.
- Rubella.
- AIDS.
Parents should not panic when detecting lymphocytosis. The number of cells increases significantly in children under 2 years old, even with a cold. It is important to evaluate the indicator precisely in dynamics.
Lymphocytes 39%: physiological causes of the increase
Not always the deviation of the indicator from the norm indicates the development of a dangerous pathological process. Often it is detected in completely healthy people. If 39% of lymphocytes are found in a person, this means that after a while you need to be examined again, excluding or confirming the presence of any ailment.
Physiological reasons for the deviation of the indicator from the norm:
- The period before menstrual bleeding in women.
- Recent surgery.
- Psycho-emotional instability.
- High-intensity physical activity.
- Oral administration of combined oral contraceptives.
In addition, physiological lymphocytosis is always diagnosed in women during pregnancy.
What could lead to an erroneous result
If lymphocytes of 39% or more are detected, it is recommended that the biomaterial be taken for re-analysis in a few days. Often the first result is erroneous.
It is important to understand that the reliability of the study depends on the patient. A person must responsibly comply with the doctor's recommendations before submitting biomaterial.
Preparation for the study includes the following items:
- For 2-3 days, you need to make adjustments to the diet. The menu should contain vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, as well as foods rich in slow-digesting carbohydrates. From drinks it is recommended to give preference to pure still water. Fatty, fried, smoked, spicy and spicy dishes, as well as alcohol, should be excluded from the diet.
- The biomaterial is taken on an empty stomach. The last meal before blood donation should take place no less than 8-10 hours.
- For 2 days, it is recommended to abandon physical activity or reduce their intensity to a minimum. Just before the blood donation, you need to sit in a calm environment and relax for about 15 minutes. Nervous arousal is one of the reasons for the erroneous result.
- The physician must be informed regarding the use of any medication.
Only responsible observance of the preparation rules guarantees a reliable result.
Who to contact
With elevated lymphocytes in the blood, both an adult and a child need to make an appointment with a hematologist. This is a specialist in the detection of diseases of liquid connective tissue and their treatment. In addition, the doctor diagnoses pathologies of the hematopoietic system.
If lymphocytosis is suspected, the doctor will recommend taking the biomaterial for analysis again. When confirming the ailment, the hematologist will draw up a referral to a comprehensive diagnosis, based on the results of which he will draw up a therapy regimen.
Lymphocytosis treatment
As mentioned above, the disease is not an independent disease. Lymphocytosis is only a symptom of a pathological process developing in the body. In this regard, treatment is prescribed only after the main reason for the deviation of the indicator from the norm is identified.
If lymphocytosis is a consequence of malignant blood diseases, the doctor will recommend radiation and chemotherapy. In addition, the specialist may prescribe the administration or administration of cytostatics. In some cases, it is advisable to conduct a surgical procedure, during which bone marrow transplantation or organ transplantation is performed.
In the presence of a viral infection, the doctor prescribes drugs belonging to the group of interferons. Symptoms of the inflammatory process can be stopped in a short time using NSAIDs and hormonal drugs. In almost all cases, vitamin therapy is indicated. Its goal is to strengthen the body as a whole, increase its degree of resistance to provocative agents.
Finally
Lymphocytes are white blood cells related to white blood cells. Normally, their indicator in adults should vary from 20 to 37%. With lymphocytes 39% and above, it is customary to talk about the development of pathology in the body. But, before making a diagnosis, it is important to exclude the physiological causes of the disease. In addition, non-compliance with the rules of preparation for the study can lead to an erroneous result. The treatment of lymphocytosis directly depends on the cause that provoked it.