Elevated level of lymphocytes. Indications for research for children. High and low amount

It should be noted that if a large number of lymphocytes are found in the blood test, it is imperative to find out the nature of this pathology. The fact is that lymphocytosis is not considered an independent disease. It only serves as a non-specific indicator indicating the introduction of an infectious principle into the body. Therefore, the majority viral diseases such as tuberculosis, chicken pox, cytomegalovirus infection, measles are manifested by a significant increase in the level of lymphocytes twice.

Often, lymphocytosis is diagnosed during an increase in body temperature, as well as in the stage of exacerbation of chronic diseases. In addition, a similar blood picture may be present for some time immediately after the patient's recovery. It is important to remember that it is possible to normalize the quantitative indicators of lymphocytes only if an accurate diagnosis is made and, accordingly, an effective course is completed. medical therapy underlying disease. To do this, it is urgent to visit a general practitioner who will prescribe a series of studies in order to determine the violation that has arisen and exclude malignant neoplasms.

As a rule, the treatment of most viral ailments consists of the use of anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antipyretic drugs. In addition, antibiotic therapy may be indicated. Treatment of such serious illnesses both myeloma and leukemia are peculiar and consist in the use of chemotherapy, as well as bone marrow transplantation.

What disease causes lymphocytosis?

What research needs to be done to determine the cause of lymphocytosis

A blood test is the first step in the diagnosis that patients of specialists in any branch of medicine face. When evaluating the results obtained, it is sometimes necessary to interpret situations when lymphocytes in the blood are elevated. This condition is called lymphocytosis. What this may mean, and in what diagnostic direction such a patient should be directed, the specialist can decide exclusively. But knowledge possible causes and options for the development of events will not interfere with the patients themselves.

The concept of the norm of lymphocytes and options for their increase

Lymphocytes are one of the essential elements cellular and humoral immunity. In a blood test, they are determined total without detailed characteristics of the T-cell and B-cell links. The following indicators are considered normal:

• Relative values ​​( percentage lymphocytes in relation to the total level of leukocytes) - from 20% to 40%;
• Absolute values ​​(number of lymphocytic cells per unit volume of blood) - from 1 to 4.5 g/l;
• In children of early age groups the rate of lymphocytes is slightly higher than in adults. Must be taken into account age features in the form of a physiological crossover at 5 days and 5 years of age, when there are as many leukocytes as neutrophilic leukocytes.

The evaluation of the obtained results can be carried out both in absolute and in terms of relative performance. In case of pathology and the need for a more thorough diagnosis, a detailed study of the cellular composition of the lymphocytic link of the blood system is carried out. In this case, such options for increasing lymphocytes in the results of the analysis can be obtained:

1. Absolute lymphocytosis - clinical and laboratory situations in which the overall level of leukocytes increases due to an increase in the content of lymphocytes;
2. Relative lymphocytosis - lymphocytes are increased, leukocytes are normal. In such cases, lymphocytes increase not due to an increase in their number per unit volume of blood, but due to a decrease in neutrophilic leukocytes in the composition of the leukocyte formula;
3. The combination of any type of lymphocytosis with an increase or decrease in other blood cells (erythrocytes, platelets).

Important to remember! Leukocytes and lymphocytes are two components of one big system immunity. When changes are found in leukocyte formula in the form of relative lymphocytosis, it is imperative to determine the number of lymphocytes in absolute numbers!

Diseases of the blood system

Lymphocytes, as an element of blood tissue, are a mirror reflection of the state of hematopoietic processes in the body. In the event of a pathology of the bone marrow and lymphatic system a combined increase in lymphocytes and leukocytes is recorded. Such changes in the analysis are possible when:

• Acute and chronic lymphoblastic leukemia;
• Lymphogranulomatosis;
• Lymphomas and lymphosarcoma;
• multiple myeloma;
• Metastases malignant tumors into the bone marrow
• Radiation injuries.

Viral infections

Lymphocytes are protective cells responsible for antiviral immunity in the body. An increase in their number in the peripheral blood may indicate infection with any viruses, both at the stage of their reproduction and convalescence with the formation of immunity. In the first case, lymphocytosis is caused by a predominant increase in the level of T-cell lymphocytes, and in the second case, B-cells. Cause such changes in blood tests can:

• Respiratory viruses (adenovirus, parainfluenza, influenza);
• Measles, rubella and chickenpox viruses;
• Pathogens of the herpes family, but only with a generalization of the process with a wide spread of the pathogen in all tissues of the body;
• Epstein-Barr virus with infectious mononucleosis;
• Hepatitis viruses of all types (A, B, C, etc.).

Lymphocytes are the main cells for the formation of complete and stable immunity.

Bacterial infections

• Whooping cough;
• Syphilis;
• Tuberculosis;
• Brucellosis;
• Toxoplasmosis;
• Mycoplasmosis and ureaplasmosis;
• Chlamydial infection.

Autoimmune diseases

Almost all diseases characterized by the destruction of healthy tissues of the body by cells immune system are accompanied by an increase in the activity of lymphocytic cells. That is why in blood tests it looks like an increase in their percentage or absolute amount compared to the norm. The main autoimmune-allergic diseases accompanied by lymphocytosis are:

• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Chronic skin diseases in the form of dermatoses (psoriasis, eczema);
• Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Other factors

Among the causal mechanisms for increasing blood lymphocytes, various internal and external factors, which are very rare, but can act as a cause of lymphocytosis. It can be:

• Hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid function);
• Addison's disease (decreased function of the adrenal glands);
• Treatment with hematopoietic stimulants;
• Vaccination against common infections of a child or adult;
• Hepatomegaly and hypersplenism (enlargement of the spleen with increased function). This leads to the fact that more lymphocyte cells are released into the blood.

Video about the types and functions of leukocytes:

Differential diagnosis of lymphocytosis

IN clinical practice meet different situations, at which not only pathological changes in the form of lymphocytosis, but also its combination with other changes in the cellular composition of the blood. It can be:

1. An increase in lymphocytes in combination with an increase in the total level of leukocytes (absolute lymphocytosis). Characteristic for lymphoproliferative diseases of the blood system (lymphocytic leukemia, lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis) and acute severe viral infections;
2. Increased lymphocytes and platelets. Such a combination practically does not occur, since it is not pathogenetically associated with one cause. Such patients should have two pathologies, each of which causes a corresponding increase in performance. A more typical case may be an increase in lymphocytes against a background of a decrease in platelets, which indicates hypersplenism and autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura;
3. Erythrocytes and lymphocytes are increased. This combination is also paradoxical. It can be determined in the results of a blood test and indicates intoxication against the background of viral and bacterial infections, accompanied by dehydration. If a decrease in red blood cells occurs against the background of lymphocytosis, this speaks in favor of leukemia or other types of lymphoproliferative diseases of the bone marrow;
4. Leukocytes are lowered, lymphocytes are increased. Similar clinical situations are possible with special varieties of leukopenia, which is called agranulocytosis, after viral infections or against the background of tuberculosis. This phenomenon is explained by the depletion of cells of rapid immunity (leukocytes) and the activation of cells of long-term immunity (lymphocytes). Prolonged course of specific infectious processes and antibiotic treatment interfere with leukocyte synthesis. It will take some time to restore their normal levels.

Important to remember! An increase in the level of lymphocytes or lymphocytosis is not a disease. This condition can only be regarded as a symptom. This is the only correct approach. There is no need to treat lymphocytosis. It is necessary to treat the disease that led to its occurrence!

The materials are published for review and are not a prescription for treatment! We recommend that you contact a hematologist at your healthcare facility!

Lymphocytes are one of the main defenders of the body. An increase in their level may indicate completely different circumstances. What can an increase in this indicator mean and how to bring it back to normal?

In the leukocyte formula, a special place is given to lymphocytes. These cells are responsible for the formation of human immunity. If lymphocytes are elevated, this may indicate the presence of factors that activate natural defense mechanisms. Let's consider this question in more detail.

Characterization of lymphocytes

To understand the situation when lymphocytes are above the norm, what it means and how to deal with it, you need to get to know this category of blood cells more closely. They belong to leukocytes, that is, white blood cells.

Important: the main task of lymphocytes is to provide the immune defense of the body. At the same time, they recognize and destroy not only foreign agents, but also their own pathological mutant cells.

Men and women have approximately the same content of these elements. However, the fair sex may experience a temporary increase, which is associated with menstrual cycle or pregnancy.

These cells are formed in bone marrow. Here they are not classified. To become full-fledged mature agents, they go to the thymus and lymphatic organs. Some of them will die, while others will specialize. Life span different groups lymphocytes are not the same.

Important: some cells originate in young people, receive information about the infection and retain it until the very old age of a person, forming a stable immunity to certain diseases.

What does the number of lymphocytes mean

T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes and null cells have a different ratio in general formula. The most numerous and active are T-elements.

To clarify the primary picture of the analyzes, the total number of leukocytes and their basic types are considered. Quite often, several elevated lymphocytes, which is indicated by the ratios between all blood cells. Small deviations, within 5-15%, are considered the norm, since the body's sensitivity to external factors is manifested in this way. For example, the following circumstances may affect:

• fatigue;
• stress;
• the influence of ultraviolet;
• period of desquamation in women;
• pregnancy.

Lymphocytes are elevated in a blood test, but you still do not feel signs of illness. This is correct, since lymphocytes begin their work immediately after the penetration of foreign agents into the body and after their identification. The question is natural: increased lymphocytes in the blood, what does this mean in women, or in men. It is impossible to answer it directly.

is the basic diagnostic method. It is carried out to identify various diseases and monitoring the dynamics of treatment. It allows estimating the ratios of plasma and shaped elements(cells), count the number of all types of blood cells, determine their main parameters and evaluate the leukocyte formula.

However, changes in the blood test are not an independent diagnosis. The term lymphocytosis means that the patient has elevated lymphocytes in the blood. This condition can be observed in many diseases. For the correct diagnosis, it is necessary to assess the degree of their increase, clinical symptoms and other laboratory parameters.

It has an important diagnostic and prognostic value, since it reflects the percentage ratio between various types leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes).

Lymphocytes are called the fraction of leukocytes responsible for immune responses. Their number does not depend on gender and is the same for men and women. In a blood test healthy person their number ranges from 19-37%. The percentage is called relative, as it shows their proportion of the total number of all leukocytes.

To calculate the absolute number, a special formula is used: (absolute number of leukocytes * per relative number (percentage) of lymphocytes) / 100.

For reference. The rate of lymphocytes ranges from 1 to 4.0 G/l.

Depending on the laboratory in which the tests were taken, relative or absolute indicators may vary slightly. As a rule, the norm is indicated next to the results obtained.

When interpreting the analyzes, it is necessary to evaluate the type of lymphocytosis: relative or absolute. If it is combined with an increase in the total number of leukocytes, then given state interpreted as absolute lymphocytosis (characteristic of infectious diseases).

If lymphocytes are elevated, but leukocytes are normal, this is relative lymphocytosis (hereinafter referred to as OL). It can be observed in the post-infection period (in recovering patients), in the presence of inflammation various etiologies, as well as systemic lesions connective tissue and malignant neoplasms.

Why can lymphocytes increase in a blood test

Depending on the function performed, lymphocytes are divided into:

• B-cells responsible for the formation of immunoglobulins (circulating antibodies) and providing humoral immunity. That is, they contribute to the release of the body from foreign agents.
• - regulate immunity, recognize antigens, provide rejection reactions of transplanted organs and tissues, destroy the body's own defective cells and provide cellular immunity.
• NK - responsible for the quality of cells in the body. They are the first to react to the appearance of pathological (cancer) cells.

That is, an increase in lymphocytes can be observed with viral and bacterial infections, diseases of the blood system, pathologies of the bone marrow and in the presence of malignant neoplasms.

Normally, lymphocytes are elevated in:

• children under seven years of age (from two weeks to a year the norm is up to 70%, from a year to two years - up to 60%);
• inhabitants of the highlands;
• men engaged in heavy physical labor;
• women, during menstruation;
• athletes;
• people who use a large number of food rich in carbohydrates.

Important. If lymphocytes in the blood are elevated, what does this mean in a child? Do not worry until the age of seven, because until this age the lymphocytes are elevated and this is considered the norm.

Physiological lymphocytosis (up to 50%) is always relative and is not accompanied by clinical symptoms and other changes in analysis.

A good prognostic sign is an increase in blood lymphocytes in patients with chronic infectious diseases such as syphilis or tuberculosis. This indicates the activation of the body's defenses. While lymphopenia in clinical analysis blood, will indicate the formation of secondary immunodeficiency.

There is also the concept of postinfectious lymphocytosis. This is a condition where the patient's lymphopenia (possibly in combination with neutropenia) is replaced by lymphocytosis. Such a change in the analyzes indicates a complete recovery.

Attention. If the patient had a "neutropenic" infection ( typhoid fever, influenza, measles), then an increase in lymphocytes indicates a positive trend and the absence of complications.

Causes of a pathological increase in lymphocytes

• whooping cough;
• respiratory viral infections(adenovirus, influenza, parainfluenza);
• mumps;
• measles;
• rubella;
• chickenpox;
• malaria;
• leishmaniasis;
• brucellosis;
• yersineosis;
• leptospirosis;
• toxoplasmosis (the disease is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause spontaneous abortion or congenital pathologies fetus);
• relapsing fever;
• infectious mononucleosis (detection of atypical mononuclear cells in a blood test is also characteristic);
• viral hepatitis;
• chronic infections (tuberculosis, syphilis).

Non-infectious lymphocytosis may be associated with autoimmune pathologies associated with connective tissue damage. It is observed at rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism. It is also characteristic of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and vasculitis.

More a rare cause are early stages stomach and breast cancer. At listed diseases lymphocytosis is associated with high ESR(erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

Relative leukocytosis, not accompanied by other abnormalities in the analyzes, can be detected in patients with neurasthenia, manic-depressive states, and also after severe stress.

Among endocrine causes increased lymphocytes secrete:

• thyrotoxicosis;
• myxedema;
• ovarian hypofunction;
• acromegaly;
• Addison's disease;
• panhypopituitarism.

Attention! In young children, significant lymphocytosis may be seen with thymic hyperplasia.

A pathological increase in lymphocytes associated with taking medications is observed in hypersensitivity reactions (allergies) to medicines or with serum sickness.

OL, in combination with neutropenia, is characteristic of alimentary-toxic aleukia (intoxication syndrome associated with the use cereal crops who overwintered on the field), starvation (observed in patients who adhere to low calorie diet), B12 deficiency anemia. Normally, a similar condition can be observed in patients after the removal of the spleen.

Diseases of the blood system

• acute and chronic lymphoblastic leukemias;
• lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkins disease);
• lymphomas and lymphosarcomas;
• tumor metastasis to the bone marrow;
• radiation sickness.

Malignant blood diseases are more common in men (about twice as common as in women). For all lymphosarcomas ( malignant diseases blood, accompanied by rapid multiplication of tumor lymphocytes) is characterized by OL (rarely, a slight increase in leukocytes may be observed) and high ESR.

Hodgkin's disease is characterized by a peak incidence in the late adolescence and after fifty years. The main criterion for making this diagnosis will be the detection of specific Berezovsky-Sternberg-Reed cells in a biopsy specimen from a lymph node. Lymphocytosis in this disease is due mainly to mature T-lymphocytes.

A hallmark of the disease is the filling of the blood with immature cells (blasts) unable to perform their functions. Such lymphocytes are nonfunctional and unable to perform their tasks, which contributes to the formation of immunodeficiency and the addition of severe infections.

For acute leukemia characteristic is the replacement of healthy tissue of the red bone marrow, malignant (tumor). This process is accompanied by an active proliferation of lymphoblasts (immature precursors of lymphocytes).

Important. Acute lymphoblastic leukemias are characterized by two peaks in incidence. The first peak is observed in children from one to six years. The second is seen in age category fifty to sixty years of age.

Chronic leukemia is accompanied by damage to the bone marrow, lymphoid tissue And internal organs mature atypical lymphocytes due to their uncontrolled division. The disease is characterized by slow development and often asymptomatic course up to several years. The vast majority of cases occur in men over the age of fifty-five.

For patients diagnosed with aleukemic lymphocytic leukemia, an increase in the number of lymphocytes indicates the progression of the disease and is a poor diagnostic sign.

Blood cells are called leukocytes. In the body they perform important features. This indicator indicates the state of human health, the likelihood of developing various infectious and inflammatory diseases.

To determine the level of cells, do a blood test. Increased rate lymphocytes may be due to dangerous pathological conditions, so it is important to undergo additional diagnostics, after which the specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

are blood cells that are produced in thymus, bone marrow and lymph nodes, and belong to the group of leukocyte cells.

There are several types of lymphocytes in the blood. Each of them performs certain function in the human body:

The level of lymphocytes can be determined using general research blood. This procedure is carried out in several ways:

1. The sampling of material from the finger (nameless). This method is most often used in medicine. For this, the fingertip is wiped with alcohol and a puncture is made with a special needle, called a scarifier. Blood is collected in a vessel using a special pipette. Newborns can take blood for research from the heel.
2. Blood from a vein. Skin above the vein, the hands are disinfected before blood sampling. After that, the material is taken with a syringe. In modern clinics, the study is carried out using a counter-cytometer.

To obtain reliable results, the analysis must be done on an empty stomach before twelve o'clock in the afternoon. The day before the procedure, it is important to exclude the use of alcoholic beverages, fried and fatty foods.

Such diagnostics are carried out during routine medical check-ups, before hospitalization and during dispensary observation. It is mandatory to do an analysis during pregnancy. This study helps to identify blood diseases, inflammatory processes occurring in the body, as well as infections.

Norm by age and during pregnancy

The absolute number of lymphocytes and their specific gravity are determined in a blood test. The rate of the indicator depends on the age of the patient.

In children normal level of lymphocytes, the following values ​​of lymphocytes are considered (in percentage):

• Newborns - from 12 to 36%
• In one month - from 40 to 76
• In one year - from 38 to 74
• Up to six years - from 27 to 60
• Up to twelve years - from 25 to 54
• Up to fifteen years - from 22 to 50

The absolute number of cells is measured in units multiplied by 10 to the ninth power per liter. From birth to four years, the level ranges from 2 to 11, by ten years and in adolescence - from 1.2 to 6.8.

In adults, the level of lymphocytes should be no more than 3 thousand per milliliter, in percentage terms - from 20 to 40.

During pregnancy for early dates a slight deviation below the norm is considered characteristic. This condition is normal in pregnant women, since during this period the cells are activated.

Normal values ​​in trimesters are as follows:

• The first - from 27 to 29%
• Second and third - from 25 to 27%

If the indicator exceeds the norm, then this condition is called lymphocytosis. At reduced level define lymphocytopenia.

Why does the level of lymphocytes in the blood rise?

Lymphocytes can rise as a result of various diseases that provoke bacteria and viruses:

• Whooping cough
• adenovirus infection
• Tuberculosis
• Flu
• Angina
• parainfluenza
• Mumps
• Measles
• Shingles
• Chicken pox
• Infectious mononucleosis
• Brucellosis

A high level of lymphocytes is one of the important features oncological diseases blood (lymphoblastic leukemia in acute form and chronic lymphocytic leukemia).

The reasons for the increase in cells can also be radiation sickness, adrenal insufficiency (Addison's syndrome), thyroid disease. In addition, the level above the norm is determined when bronchial asthma, Sjögren's syndrome, eczema and psoriasis.

In addition, factors that affect the increase in lymphocyte cells are:

1. Hormonal changes that occur in the body.
2. Stress and psycho-emotional overstrain.
3. The use of certain drugs.
4. Great smoking history.
5. Surgical intervention on the spleen (splenectomy).
6. Poisoning with chemical components (arsenic, lead).
7. Prolonged fasting.
8. Allergic reactions (dermatitis, urticaria).
9. Alcohol addiction.

Lymphocytosis can also be observed if the patient lives in highlands. Women have a lot of lymphocytes in the blood a few days before the onset of menstruation. Therefore, women are not recommended to donate blood during this period in order to obtain more accurate results.

Lymphocytosis during pregnancy develops when the blood cells perceive the fetus as a foreign body, since paternal genes are present in it. This condition threatens miscarriage, so pregnant women should regularly take a blood test.

What to do with an elevated level

Lymphocytosis is not a disease, but is considered a sign of a certain pathological condition. Therefore, with an increase in lymphocytes when deciphering a blood test, a specialist prescribes additional examination ( , cytological diagnostics, and other methods). If the reason high level cells is a disease, then treatment is aimed at eliminating it.

Most often in infectious and inflammatory diseases, the causative agents of which are viruses and pathogenic bacteria, appointed following groups medications:

• Antibacterial drugs.
• Antiviral drugs.
• Immunomodulators and immunostimulants.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Antipyretic.
• Antihistamines.
• Corticosteroids.

At oncological diseases and blood diseases, chemotherapy is used. You may need a bone marrow transplant.Phytotherapy may also be used.

Useful video: deciphering the leukocyte formula

Choice alternative means depends on the underlying disease. For example, in case of respiratory diseases, it is recommended to drink a decoction of plantain and elecampane. If the patient has herpes, it is advisable to increase the body's immune forces with tincture of ginseng, echinacea, dandelion; decoctions of raspberry and strawberry leaves.

As the disease progresses, possible undesirable consequences. Complications fully depend on the underlying cause, as a result of which they increased.TO dangerous consequences include: ndegeneration of benign cells into malignant, pflow acute illness V chronic form, lfatal outcome,pregnant women elevated level lymphocytes there is a threat of miscarriage.