Blood Pathologies

Infectious Mononucleosis EBV (highly contagious, hence “kissing disease”) specifically attacks B lymphocytes  massive T lymphocyte activation. T cells attack the virus infected B cells.  Large numbers of oversized T lymphocytes circulate in blood. (Originally misidentified as monocytes). Symptoms: Chronic sore throat, fatigue, fever, swollen LNs and splenomegaly.

Infectious Mononucleosis Atypical T lymphocytes associated with infectious mononucleosis: Oversized (more cytoplasm) and presence of nucleoli. The cytoplasm tends to be indented by surrounding RBC's.

Leukemias Group of cancerous conditions of WBCs. Named after abnormal cell type primarily involved. Acute vs. chronic. Without therapy always fatal. Severe anemia and blood clotting disorders due to suppression of normal BM function.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia These mature lymphocytes are increased markedly in number. They are indicative of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a disease most often seen in older adults. This disease responds poorly to treatment, but it is slow to develop.

Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia (CML) This leukemia is most frequently seen in patients between 25 and 50 years of age. It can progress to acute myelogenous leukemia. The whole spectrum of the granulocytic series is seen.

Acute monocytic leukemia Acute monocytic leukemia. This is a subclassification and represents 10 % of all acute myelocytic leukemia. It has a very poor prognosis, 6-12 months.

Benign White Cell Disorders: Leukocytosis. Most common: 1) neutrophilia (granulocytosis) and 2) lymphocytosis Neutrophilia may be due to infection, inflammation, necrosis, physical agents, emotional stimuli, drugs,toxins, neoplasia, metabolic, hormonal, and endocrine disturbances, and hematologic abnormalities. In response to inflammation or other stimuli, neutrophils move from the marginating or storage pool into the circulating peripheral blood. Next bone marow reserves are shifted into the peripheral blood and finally marrow production is increased.

Leukopenia abnormally low leukocyte count (below 4,000 per mm 3 ). Usually due to a reduction in the number of neutrophils (neutropenia). Of itself, neutropenia causes no symptoms, but persons with neutropenia of any cause may suffer from frequent and severe bacterial infections. Neutropenia may be due to a hypersensitivity mechanism in which a drug provokes the formation of antibodies. If the drug happens to bind to the neutrophil, the antibody accidentally destroys the neutrophil when it reacts with the drug. A second important mechanism of neutropenia is toxic damage to the bone marrow. Chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of cancer and leukemia often produce leukopenia (and neutropenia) by damaging the bone marrow. Drugs that cause neutropenia include pain relievers, antihistamines, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, antimicrobial agents, sulfonamide derivatives, antithyroid drugs, and chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of cancer and leukemia. Neutropenia also is associated with certain types of infections (e.g., typhoid, brucellosis, measles) and with certain diseases involving the bone marrow (e.g., aplastic anemia) or the spleen. In addition, sufficiently high doses of radiation will cause neutropenia,