Category:Inflammation

Neutrophilia

Neutropenia

• Neutropenia is a reduction in numbers of neutrophils circulating in the blood.

• Occurs with:
  • Infections caused by Gram-negative organisms.
    • Cause by the effects of their endotoxins.
  • Factors that destroy their formation in the bone marrow.
  • For example
    • Radiation
    • Toxins affecting bone marrow functions
      • E.g. Bracken
    • Some viruses
      • E.g. Parvovirus and Infectious Canine Hepatitis
    • Tumours that replace or displace normal bone marrow.

Eosinophilia

• Eosinophilia an increase in numbers of eosinophils in the blood/tissues

• Occurs in:
  • Parasitism or hypersensitivity.
    • The antigens of both may sensitise T-lymphocytes, and re-exposure to the agent may result in quite substantial numbers of eosinophils.
  • Some breeds of dogs, e.g. German Shepherd.
    • Are prone to developing eosinophilia.

Eosinopenia

• Eosinopenia is a reduction in the number of eosinophils in the blood.

• Occurs as part of the response to corticosteroids;.
  • Thought to be associated with the depressive effect of corticosteroids on lymphocytes.
    • Secretions of these lymphocytes are thought to stimulate eosinophil production.

Lymphocytosis

• Lymphocytosis is an increase in numbers of lymphocytes in the blood.

• Occurs:
  • In tumours in which there is a substantial increase in their number.
    • Some of the lymphocytes are immature - lymphoblasts.
    • For example, Bovine Leukosis.
  • Following adrenaline release in fear, excitement and so on.
  • In some cases of chronic infection.
    • However, reactive hyperplasia in associated lymph nodes may not correlate with the numbers of circulating lymphocytes.
  • Commonly in growing swine.
    • Possibly associated with aMycoplasma infection.

Lymphopenia

• Lymphopenia is a redcution in the numbers of lymphocytes in the blood.

• Occurs in:
  • Viruses that attack the lymphoid system.
    • For example:
      • Canine Distemper
      • Infectious Canine Hepatitis
      • Feline Infectious Enteritis
      • Bovine Virus Diarrhoea.
  • Irradiation
  • Corticosteroid therapy.
    • Selectively suppresses lymphocytic activity, and the inflammatory response in general.
    • Other immunosuppressive drugs may act in a similar way.

Plasma Cells

• Plasma cells are rarely observed in blood.

• If many plasma cells are present in blood, it is due to a plasma cell tumour that has begun to metastasise.

Monocytosis

• Monocytosis -is an increase in numbers of monocytes (haematogenous macrophages) in the blood.

• Occurs:
  • In conjunction with neutrophilia in fear, excitement etc.
  • In the chronic stages of bacterial disease.
• Monocytes very rarely behave as macrophages in the blood.
  • However, this is seen in cases of severe intravascular haemolysis of red blood cells where remnants of the RBC's are found in their cytoplasm.