Leukopenia

The terms leukopenia and neutropenia are often used interchangeably. However, they refer to slightly different conditions. Leukopenia is an umbrella term that refers to a reducation in any of the white blood cell types.

Neutropenia is a type of leukopenia but refers specifically to a decrease in neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell. A person’s neutrophil count is an important indicator of their infection risk.

1. LEUKOPENIA PRESENTED BY R.PRIYA

2. INTRODUCTION Blood is made up different types of blood cells, including white blood cells, or leukocytes. White blood cells are an important part of your immune system, helping your body to fight off diseases and infections. If you have too few w Leukopenia,  abnormally low number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in the blood circulation , defined as less than 5,000 leukocytes per cubic millimetre of blood. Leukopenia often accompanies certain infections, especially those caused by viruses or protozoans.W hite blood cells, you have a condition known as leukopenia.

3. DEFINITION A low white blood cell count ( leukopenia ) is a decrease in disease-fighting cells (leukocytes) in your blood.  Leukopenia  is almost always related to a decrease in a certain type of white blood cell (neutrophil). A healthy white blood cell count is between 3,500 and 11,000 white blood cells per microliter. A person with leukopenia may have fewer than 3,500 white blood cells per microliter

4. CAUSES Blood cell or bone marrow conditions These include: aplastic anemia hypersplenism, or overactive spleen myelodysplastic syndromes myeloproliferative syndrome myelofibrosis Cancer and treatments for cancer Different types of cancer, including leukemia , can lead to leukopenia. Cancer treatments can also cause leukopenia, including: chemotherapy radiation therapy   (especially when used on large bones, such as those in your legs and pelvis) bone marrow transplant Congenital problems Congenital disorders are present at birth. Congenital problems that can lead to leukopenia include conditions that affect how bone marrow works to make blood cells, such as: Kostmann syndrome, or severe congenital neutropenia myelokathexis

5. CAUSES Autoimmune disorders Autoimmune disorders that kill white blood cells or bone marrow cells, which make blood cells, can also lead to leukopenia. These include: lupus rheumatoid arthritis Malnutrition Leukopenia can be caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as deficiencies in: vitamin B-12 folate copper zinc Infectious diseases Infectious diseases that can cause leukopenia include: HIV or AIDS tuberculosis

6. CAUSES Medications Medications that can cause leukopenia include: bupropion (Wellbutrin) clozapine (Clozaril) cyclosporine ( Sandimmune ) interferons lamotrigine (Lamictal) minocycline ( Minocin ) mycophenolate mofetil ( CellCept ) penicillin sirolimus ( Rapamune ) sodium valproate steroids tacrolimus ( Prograf ) Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis is a systemic illness caused by an exaggerated immune response and characterized by formation of granulomas, or small areas of inflammation, in multiple systems in your body. When these granulomas form in your bone marrow, leukopenia can result. Viral infections Viral infections that affect the bone marrow or other severe infections can also lead to leukopenia.

7. TYPES blood is low in  neutrophils , you have a type of leukopenia known as  neutropenia . Neutrophils are the white blood cells that protect you from fungal and bacterial infections. Leukopenia is so often caused from a decrease in neutrophils that some people use the terms “leukopenia” and “neutropenia” interchangeably. Another common type of leukopenia is lymphocytopenia, which is when you have too few lymphocytes.  Lymphocytes  are the white blood cells that protect you from viral infections

8. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

9. SIGNS SYMPTOMS fever higher than 100.5˚F (38˚C) chills sweating

10. DIAGNOSTIC EVAUATION Complete blood count

11. MANAGEMENT Cancer treatments may affect a person’s white blood cell count, leading to leukopenia. Examples that may have this effect include: chemotherapy radiation therapy bone marrow transplant Certain medications can also affect the number of white blood cells in someone’s blood and may lead to leukopenia. Medications that can have this effect include: interferons to treat  multiple sclerosis lamotrigine and sodium valproate for  epilepsy  and as mood stabilizers bupropion, an  antidepressant  and smoking cessation medication clozapine, an antipsychotic medication minocycline, a common  antibiotic immunosuppressants, such as sirolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine steroids penicillin eating a healthful diet immunocompromised diet, also called a low-bacterial diet or neutropenic diet, may be recommended if white blood cells are very low. This diet is thought to reduce your chances of getting germs from food or because of the way food is prepared. getting plenty of rest avoiding cuts and scrapes practicing good hygiene to avoid germs Treatment may also be needed for any infections that result from a reduced white blood cell count. This might include antibiotics or antifungals.

12. THANK YOU