Lymphopenia

Introduction

Lymphopenia is a reduction in the numbers of lymphocytes in the blood. This phenomenon is most commonly associated with stress (as part of the stress leucogram) or with viral infection. Causes include:

• Stress leucogram, characterised by neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinopenia and lymphopenia. A similar pattern may occur with hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) or exogenous corticosteroid therapy as these hormones selectively suppress lymphocytic activity and the inflammatory response in general.
• Viral infection with canine distemper, Infectious canine hepatitis, feline infectious enteritis or bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD)
• Bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Since neutrophils have a much shorter circulating half life, they are the first cell line to fall with any insult to the bone marrow but lymphopenia may occur as part of a more severe pancytopenia.
• Inherited or acquired immunodeficiency syndromes, including SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome) in Arab foals and feline immunodeficiency virus infection.
• Leakage of lymphatic fluid may result in loss of lymphocytes, as occurs with lymphangiectasia or chylothorax.

Lymphopenia Learning Resources
Literature Search Search for recent publications via CAB Abstract (CABI log in required)	Publications with 'lymphopenia' in their title

Webinars

Lunchtime Basic Bitesize Pathology: Small Animal Mammary Pathology.

Grab a cuppa, some snacks and join us for an overview of mammary pathology in small animals. The session is aimed at veterinary practitioners, nurses, new graduates and clinical stage veterinary st...

Sandra Dawson 2022-04-05 09:50:01

Arterial Blood Gases: Obtaining a Sample and Avoiding Pre-Analytical Errors

Accurate measurement of arterial blood gases provides critical information for the treatment and diagnosis of companion animals. Learn successful techniques for obtaining a blood gas sample and how...

Jake Wolf 2022-03-29 11:04:36

Understanding and Interpreting Blood Gases—Tic Tac Toe Method

Understanding and Interpreting Blood Gases—Tic Tac Toe Method

Megan Brashear 2022-03-29 11:04:08

Immune-mediated Haemolytic Anaemia: from diagnosis to management

Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia is one of the most commonly encountered haematological emergencies seen in practice and can have a significant mortality associated. Early recognition and diagnos...

Craig Breheny 2022-03-09 14:47:26

Basic cytology for practitioners

This is aimed at veterinary surgeons and vet nurses who have started or wish to start preparing and interpreting their cytology in-house. It will not be fully comprehensive but will cover the most...

Trevor Whitbread 2022-03-09 14:39:12

Platelet party? It’s all about Coagulation!

Coagulation is an important part of the body’s day to day mechanisms, and our patients can experience problems with their coagulation due to countless diseases, disorders and intoxication...

Katie Gray 2021-08-31 11:08:12

Management of the emergency coagulopathy: Immune mediated thrombocytopaenia

This webinar is refresher for primary care clinicians on the diagnosis, and management of immune mediated thrombocytopaenia. We will cover the utility of diagnostic tests such in house smear analys...

James McMurrough 2021-08-17 10:42:22

Feline blood transfusions

Blood pressure is a very useful monitoring tool to use in practice but is it under utilised? It can give you further insight into many conditions and how the patient is coping systemically. From ch...

Sophie McMurrough 2021-08-10 07:14:21

Urine for a treat! Urinalysis for RVNs

Urinalysis can tell us a lot about our patient. From renal function to hydration status, bacteria and uroliths. We perform urinalysis every day so it is important to know when these tools can be us...

Sophie McMurrough 2021-08-10 07:10:39

A Practical Approach to Anaemia

TBC

Clare Knottenbelt 2021-05-04 09:17:04