Blood is the main component of our body. Its main parts are water and shaped elements, that is, blood cells. These include red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If in the general analysis of blood the shadows of Humprecht are found - this may be evidence of diseases of the blood system.
Shadows of Botkin-Gumprecht: what is it?
These formations are nothing but destroyed blood cells, namely lymphocytes. They can only be determined by microscopic examination of the blood. Lymphocytes provide cellular immunity, one of the two main components of the immune response. Therefore, their destruction and the formation of Gumprecht's shadows indicates a long-lasting lesion of the blood system.
The main reason
Chronic destruction of lymphocytes is most often present in chronic lymphocytic leukemia - a benign lesion of the blood characterized by the accumulation of these specific formations in the blood, lymph nodes and lymphocytes.
It is still not clear what triggers the development of this disease, however, it is assumed that the risks of its occurrence are increased by the influence of harmful environmental factors, viral infection, and genetic mutations. And special attention is paid to hereditary predisposition. The article presents a photo of Botkin-Gumprecht's eyeshadows under a microscope.
Disease classification
Having learned what disease Botkin-Gumprecht’s shadows are found in during a microscopic examination of blood, it is also worth mentioning the classification of this disease:
- chronic benign lymphocytic leukemia;
- tumor form;
- progressive form;
- bone marrow form;
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia with enlarged spleen;
- hairy cell leukemia;
- pre-lymphocytic form.
With any of these forms of leukemia, an increase in the destruction of lymphocytes is observed, and consequently, the formation of Gumprecht's shadows.
The value of microscopic diagnosis
A blood test under a microscope for lymphocytic leukemia is necessary and plays a large role in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. What is the significance of the detection of Humprecht shadows in chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
- diagnostic value - the determination of destroyed lymphocytes in the blood helps to suspect the correct diagnosis and prescribe a further examination;
- the presence of these formations does not give an idea of the stage of the process or the presence of an exacerbation, it only confirms the presence of a blood pathology;
- in some cases, the destruction of lymphocytes can be observed in any chronic infectious processes, therefore, it is impossible to diagnose chronic lymphocytic leukemia only on the basis of microscopic data, further examination of the patient is necessary;
- the determination of shadows at an early stage helps to establish a diagnosis in time and prescribe earlier treatment, which increases the patient's chances of recovery.
Diagnostic Features
Although in most cases blood microscopy is a really effective method for diagnosing diseases affecting the bone marrow, blood and lymphatic system, sometimes the so-called false-positive results are possible. This means that Gumprecht's shadows are determined in the absence of pathology in the body.
This is possible when lymphocytes are destroyed directly by microscopic examination. Then you should pay attention to the number of abnormal lymphocytes. As a rule, a small number of them indicates a false positive result.
Symptoms of lymphocytic leukemia
In order to consult a doctor in time for an examination, you need to know the main symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia:
- Symptoms of the initial stage. In most cases, the pathology is asymptomatic, which complicates the diagnosis, however, such manifestations as a slight increase in the lymph nodes, liver and spleen are possible.
- Stage of developed clinical manifestations - it is at this stage that patients most often consult a doctor. Lymph nodes are significantly enlarged, they are painless, not dense, not soldered together. With a significant increase in the liver, pain in the right upper quadrant is possible, which occurs when the capsule is stretched. Also, an enlarged spleen and liver can compress adjacent organs, which can lead to problems with urination, bowel movements, and digestion.
- The terminal stage - immunity is significantly depressed, so a person often suffers from various infectious diseases. As a rule, the patient does not die from the most chronic lymphocytic leukemia, but from an infectious complication that develops against the background of impaired immunity.
Diagnostics
First of all, if the patient comes to the doctor’s office with any of the complaints listed above, he sends him to a general blood test and blood microscopy. If a decrease in the number of leukocytes (leukopenia) is detected in the general analysis of Botkin-Gumprecht's blood and shadows on microscopy, the doctor prescribes additional examination methods. These include:
- lymph node biopsy;
- lymphocyte immunotyping;
- detection of specific markers of lymphocytic leukemia in the blood: CD5, CD19, CD23;
- ultrasound of the abdominal organs to visualize the degree of enlargement of the spleen and liver; the degree of their increase indicates the stage of the disease.
Treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia is carried out by an oncologist with the help of corticosteroids, alkylating agents and cytostatics.
Thus, the determination of Botkin-Gumprecht shadow is important for the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Being an early sign of this disease, they allow you to make a diagnosis in time and prescribe treatment as soon as possible, which increases the patient's chances for a full recovery.