Lymphocytes are a special type of white blood cells that provide our body with immune defense. In the cells of lymphocytes there are special receptors that instantly respond to foreign substances. Entering the group of white blood cells, lymphocytes have some differences. They are able to easily penetrate into tissues and return to the blood again. Lymphocyte lifespan is much longer than all other white blood cells. If leukocytes live only a few days, then the cells of lymphocytes are “long-livers” in comparison with them. Lymphocytes can live from several months and even up to twenty or more years. In human blood, the lymphocyte content is from twenty to forty percent.
The main function and purpose of lymphocytes is immune defense and surveillance. It is no coincidence that lymphocytes are called the “army” of our immunity.
As different groups of troops are distinguished in any army, so lymphocytes are different. Among them are T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, NK-lymphocytes, the so-called "natural killers". Each of these types of lymphocytes plays an important role in providing immune defense.
The normal lymphocyte content in 1 μl of blood is 1200-3000. In the case when the blood lymphocyte content exceeds 4000 (in the card of the general blood test this is written as> 4,000 / µL or> 4,000 / mm3 or> 4.0 x 10 (9) / L), then this is called lymphocytosis. That is, lymphocytosis is when lymphocytes in the blood are enlarged.
The reason that the lymphocytes in the blood are elevated, as a rule, are various infections. For example, ordinary flu, whooping cough, measles, chickenpox and many others. However, there are lymphocytoses due to non-infectious causes, for example, a disease such as chronic lymphocytosis.
Having learned that the lymphocytes in the blood are elevated, it is necessary to find out the nature of this pathology. Depending on their origin, reactive and malignant lymphocytosis are isolated.
Reactive lymphocytosis is a reaction of the body to an infection, it is a common occurrence for the immune system of our body. A characteristic of reactive lymphocytosis is a decrease in the content of lymphocytes in the blood to their normal value on the second or third day after an exacerbation of the disease.
In some cases, post-infectious lymphocytosis is observed. The infectious disease that caused the increase in lymphocytes is already ending, and the content of lymphocytes in the blood is still at a fairly high level.
Malignant lymphocytosis is a serious blood disease, it is usually accompanied by various kinds of leukemia. With this disease, lymphocytes in the blood are constantly elevated.
Based on only one blood test, of course, malignant lymphocytosis is difficult to detect. Therefore, if there is suspicion of the development of this serious disease, it is worthwhile to constantly be observed by a specialist - a hematologist, as well as undergo a comprehensive medical examination. You should not save money on good drugs that will allow you to recover in the shortest possible time.
Lymphocytes in the blood are increased not only with the development of infectious diseases, but also with chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and viral hepatitis.
In some cases, high lymphocytes in the blood may be due to other causes. For example, the cause of an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood may be:
- endocrine diseases (thyrotoxicosis, Addison's disease, ovarian hyperfunction and others);
- bronchial asthma;
- hypersensitivity to certain drugs and drugs;
- starvation;
- neurasthenia;
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis;
- Anemia caused by a lack of vitamin B-12.
All these reasons are basic and, as a rule, because of them, an increase in the permissible level of lymphocytes occurs. But if you monitor your lifestyle, then the onset of the disease can be easily prevented.