26.2.4. What are the qualitative and quantitative changes in leukocytes of pathologic processes in the organism?

Leukocytosis

Leukopenia

Disorders of correlation of maturated and non maturated forms of leukocytes (shift of leukocytic formula)

Degenerative changes of leukocytes

26.2.5. What is leukocytosis? How is it classified?

Leukocytosis is the increased number of leukocytes in the blood unit over 10•10⁹/l. Leukocytosis is just a symptom accompanying many diseases.

Classification of leukocytosis:

1. Due to the causes of its development – physiological and pathological leukocytosis

2. Leukocytosis may be absolute and relative. For absolute leukocytosis it is characteristic that the absolute number of leukocytes in the blood unit increases. It is said about related leukocytes in the peripheral blood increases.

3. Due to the mechanism of the development leukocytosis may be classified as:

reactive; redistributive; neoplastic.

4. Depending on the type of leukocytes, the number of which in the blood is increased:

neutrophillic, eosinophillic, basophilic, lymphocytic, monocytic

26.2.6. Give the examples of physiological and pathological leukocytosis.

Physiological leukocytosis is the physiological response of the organism to some actions.

emotionogenic leukocytosis – develops at strong emotions;

myogenic – develops at intense physical exertion;

static – when the body moves up;

alimentary – develops after meal;

leukocytosis at pregnancy;

leukocytosis of newborn.

Pathological leukocytosis is related with the pathologic process in the organism. As a rule, it develops at:

infection; inflammations and allergic processes; intoxications of exogenous and endogenous origin.

26.2.7. What is reactive leukocytosis? What mechanisms are at the basis of its development?

Reactive leukocytosis develops as a result of red bone marrow response to pathogenic effect. It develops at infections, inflammations, effect of low closes of toxic substances.

In the origin of the development of reactive leukocytosis are two mechanisms:

1. Enhanced proliferation and maturation of leukocytes in red bone marrow. It may be related eighther with the increased leukopoietin production in the organism, substances stimulating the production of leukocytes or with the decrease of leukopoiesis inhibitors.

Among leukopoietins the most researched are colony-stimulating factors – a substance secreted by activated macrophages and stimulating the production of granulocytes in red bone marrow.

High molecular inhibitor of blood serum – lipoprotein, keylons and lactopherin plays the part of leukopoiesis inhibitors.

2. The increase of transmission of leukocytes from red bone marrow into the blood. It’s due to interleukin-1 and bacterial endotoxins increasing the wall permeability of the blood vessels of red bone marrow.

26.2.8. What is particular for redistributive leukocytosis?

This is leukocytosis developing in the result of transmission of leukocytes from parietal pool to circulatory one.

Its particularities are:

temporary character with quick returning of the number of leukocytes to normal after the causative action is over;

keeping to normal the quantitative ratio of various types of leukocytes (leukocytic form doesn’t change);

absence of degenerative changes of leukocytes.

The majority of forms of physiological leukocytosis according to the mechanism of their development are redistributive.