After developing in the bone marrow, some lymphocyte cells travel to the thymus, where they become T cells. Other lymphocytes stay in the bone marrow, where they become B cells. Some of them also develop into NK cells. How the lymphocyte behaves and what it does depends on which type of lymphocyte it is. T, B and NK cells each have different roles in the immune system.
The main job of B cells is to help to make antibodies. These are proteins which the immune system produces to fight off invading viruses and bacteria. Sometimes they also have low numbers of the other types of lymphocytes. Many diseases, conditions, and factors can cause the above problems that lead to lymphocytopenia. These causes can be acquired or inherited. One of the most common acquired causes of lymphocytopenia is AIDS. Inherited causes include DiGeorge anomaly, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia.
These inherited conditions are rare. Lymphocytopenia can range from mild to severe. The condition alone may not cause any signs, symptoms, or serious problems. How long lymphocytopenia lasts depends on its cause.
The treatment for this condition depends on its cause and severity. Mild lymphocytopenia may not require treatment. If an underlying condition is successfully treated, lymphocytopenia will likely improve. Many diseases, conditions, and factors can lead to a low lymphocyte count. These conditions can be acquired or inherited. Exactly how each disease, condition, or factor affects your lymphocyte count isn't known. Some people have low lymphocyte counts with no underlying cause. Certain inherited diseases and conditions can lead to lymphocytopenia.
Examples include DiGeorge anomaly, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia. People at highest risk for lymphocytopenia have one of the diseases, conditions, or factors that can cause a low lymphocyte count. This includes people who have:. People who have had steroid therapy or radiation or chemotherapy treatments for cancer also are at increased risk.
For more information, go to "What Causes Lymphocytopenia? A low lymphocyte count alone may not cause any signs or symptoms. The condition usually is found when a person is tested for other diseases or conditions, such as AIDS.
Fever is the most common symptom of infection. Your doctor will diagnose lymphocytopenia based on your medical history, a physical exam, and test results. Thus, the condition often is diagnosed during testing for other diseases or conditions. These infections may be signs of lymphocytopenia. Your primary care doctor may refer you to an infectious disease specialist to find out what's causing the infections. You also may see a hematologist blood disease specialist or an immunologist immune disorders specialist.
Blood diseases and immune disorders can cause lymphocytopenia. Your doctor will do a physical exam to look for signs of infection, such as fever. He or she may check your abdomen for signs of an enlarged spleen and your neck for signs of enlarged lymph nodes. Your doctor also will look for signs and symptoms of diseases and conditions that can affect your lymphocyte count, such as AIDS and blood cancers.
Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests to help diagnose a low lymphocyte count. A complete blood count CBC measures many parts of your blood. The test checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood.
The CBC will show whether you have a low number of white blood cells. Lymphocytes account for 20 to 40 percent of all white blood cells.
Although a CBC will show an overall low white blood cell count, it won't show whether the number of lymphocytes is low. Decreased antibody production can cause an increase in bacterial infections. People who have too few T cells or too few NK cells have problems controlling certain infections, especially viral, fungal, and parasitic infections.
Severe lymphocyte deficiencies can result in uncontrolled infections that can be fatal. Various disorders and conditions, including infection with viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus Human Immunodeficiency Virus HIV Infection Human immunodeficiency virus HIV infection is a viral infection that progressively destroys certain white blood cells and can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS.
HIV is transmitted It causes a fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, muscle aches myalgias , and a general Lymphocytopenia can be. Certain viral infections such as influenza Influenza Flu Influenza flu is a viral infection of the lungs and airways with one of the influenza viruses. In most people, the inflammation begins suddenly and lasts only a few weeks.
Undernutrition Undernutrition Undernutrition is a deficiency of calories or of one or more essential nutrients. Undernutrition may develop because people cannot obtain or prepare food, have a disorder that makes eating or Certain autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls.
Problems in the Myasthenia gravis results from malfunction of the Certain cancers, such as leukemias Overview of Leukemia Leukemias are cancers of white blood cells or of cells that develop into white blood cells. White blood cells develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. Sometimes the development goes awry Lymphomas are cancers of a specific type of white blood cells known as lymphocytes.
The number of lymphocytes may be very low permanently in certain hereditary immunodeficiency disorders Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders Immunodeficiency disorders involve malfunction of the immune system, resulting in infections that develop and recur more frequently, are more severe, and last longer than usual.
Children with DiGeorge syndrome are born with several abnormalities Lymphocytopenia, also referred to as lymphopenia, occurs when your lymphocyte count in your bloodstream is lower than normal.
Severe or chronic low counts can indicate a possible infection or other signficant illness and should be investigated by your doctor. Lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cell.
These essential cells circulate in blood and lymph fluid. They defend your body by attacking at the first sign of an invasion by harmful organisms. There are three main types of lymphocytes that work together to help identify and eliminate infections and other disease:. Low levels of T cells or too few NK cells can lead to uncontrolled viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. B-cell lymphocytopenia can lead to an increase in harmful and different types of infections. Lymphocytopenia may be a sign of an underlying illness, condition, or other factor.
The majority of causes are acquired. This means that you develop rather than inherit them. T cells make up the greatest proportion of lymphocytes, and T-cell lymphocytopenia is the most common. However, this condition can affect all three cell types.
These can include:. Certain immunosuppressant medications that are used to treat autoimmune disorders may additionally cause lymphocytopenia. Viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections are a common cause of lymphocytopenia.
Any type of serious infection may cause your lymphocyte count to fall. For example:. Lymphocytopenia may be a sign of sepsis or acute bacteremia.
The former is a severe infection that causes systemic inflammation, and the latter is a bacterial presence in the blood that could lead to sepsis. Both instances require urgent medical attention. Malnutrition or undernutrition is a common global cause of lymphocytopenia. This occurs because the body lacks protein and other nutrients that are necessary to produce lymphocytes.
An eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa , may lead to reduced-production lymphocytopenia.
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