What will happen if monocytes count in blood is less or not present?
Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the body's immune response. They are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood, where they help to protect against infection and disease.
If the monocyte count in the blood is low (a condition known as monocytopenia) or if they are not present at all (a condition known as monocytopenia), the body's ability to fight infection can be severely compromised. This can lead to a variety of health problems, including:
* Increased risk of infection
* Delayed healing of wounds
* Increased severity of infections
* Development of autoimmune diseases
* Cancer
A low monocyte count can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
* Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and corticosteroids
* Radiation therapy
* Bone marrow disorders, such as leukemia and aplastic anemia
* Infections, such as HIV and tuberculosis
* Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis
* Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
* Liver disease
If you have a low monocyte count, your doctor will likely order additional tests to determine the cause and recommend treatment. Treatment for a low monocyte count typically involves addressing the underlying cause. In some cases, blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants may be necessary to restore the monocyte count to normal levels.
Additional Information
Monocytes are the largest type of white blood cell. They are typically 12-20 micrometers in diameter and have a bean-shaped nucleus. Monocytes are highly phagocytic, meaning they are able to engulf and destroy foreign particles and debris. They also play an important role in the inflammatory response, releasing cytokines and other inflammatory mediators that help to recruit other immune cells to the site of infection or injury.
Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and then circulate in the blood for about 8-12 hours. They then migrate into tissues, where they differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells. Macrophages are large, phagocytic cells that are found in all tissues of the body. They play a crucial role in the immune response, engulfing and destroying foreign particles and debris, as well as damaged or infected cells. Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells that play a key role in the activation of the adaptive immune response.