Lymphocytes are adaptive cells of the immune system and are a type of leukocyte or white blood cell. The function of lymphocytes is to protect the body from pathogens.
They are the key cells of the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system. The lymphatic system consists of lymphatic fluid, lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and leukocytes.
Lymphatic vessels carry fluid between the host lymph nodes and create new leukocytes.
When an infection is detected by any immune cell, the entire system is activated, including the lymphocytes.
All the different parts of the lymphatic system work together to protect the body and eliminate the pathogen.
What is the role of lymphocytes in the body?
There are three types of lymphocytes:
B lymphocytes, also known as B cells, are so called because they are produced in the bone marrow. These are a type of lymphocytes responsible for humoral immunity or for the production of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that bind to pathogens and restrict their movement and activate the rest of the immune system to help clear the infection.
T lymphocytes, also known as T cells, are another type of lymphocytes. These cells, however, mediate cellular immunity instead of humoral immunity. They do not produce antibodies, but directly attack infected host cells. T lymphocytes are so called because they are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus. T lymphocytes also have specific proteins on their surface to recognize antibodies when presented by other host cells.
Natural killer cells are part of the immune system a person is born with. They protect the body from cancer and virus-infected cells. Natural killer cells are activated by chemicals released from damaged cells called interferons.
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Natural killer cells can differentiate between infected cells, tumors and normal cells. They recognize changes in the level of a surface molecule called MHC (major histocompatibility complex) of class I.
NK cells then release cytotoxic (cell-killing) granules which then destroy the altered cells.
Low lymphocytes: what it means
Various ailments and conditions, including infection with viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – the virus that causes AIDS – the SARS-CoV-2 virus can reduce the number of lymphocytes in the blood. Lymphocytopenia can be:
• Acute: occurs briefly under certain conditions and then usually resolves;
• Chronic: Occur over a longer period due to longstanding ailments.
Causes of acute lymphocytopenia:
• The number of lymphocytes may temporarily decrease during:
Some viral infections (such as flu, hepatitis, and COVID-19);
•To send;
• Severe physical stress;
• Use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone);
• Chemotherapy and / or radiotherapy for cancer.
Causes of chronic lymphocytopenia:
Lymphocyte counts can stay low for a long time when people have:
• Undernutrition;
• Certain autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), rheumatoid arthritis and myasthenia gravis;
• Some chronic infections, such as AIDS and miliary tuberculosis;
• Some types of cancer, such as leukemia and lymphomas;
• Lymphocyte counts may be permanently very low in some inherited immunodeficiency disorders, such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiency and ataxia-telangiectasia.
Mild lymphocytopenia may cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the condition that caused the lymphocytopenia may sometimes be present. For example, people may have:
Enlarged lymph nodes and enlarged spleen, suggesting cancer or HIV infection
Cough, runny nose and fever, suggesting a viral respiratory infection
Small tonsils or lymph nodes, suggesting an inherited disorder of the immune system
Painful swollen joints and rashes, suggesting rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus
A drastically reduced number of lymphocytes leads to repeated infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites and the symptoms of such infections, which vary greatly depending on the site of infection and the specific microorganism.
Elevated lymphocytes: what does it mean?
The normal range of lymphocytes varies from 800 to 5000 lymphocytes per ml of blood. It is mainly 18% to 45% of the white blood cell count. The number of lymphocytes also varies with a person’s age. Lymphocytosis is very common. It is especially common in people who have:
• Have had a recent (most commonly viral) infection
• Reaction to a new medicine
• A medical condition that causes long-term inflammation, such as arthritis
• Some types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma
• Remote spleen
There are several reasons for this disease. Specific causes of lymphocytosis include:
• Acute lymphocytic leukemia
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Infecția cu cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• Hepatitis A
•Hepatitis B
•Hepatitis C
• HIV / AIDS
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Limfom
• Mononucleoza
Lymphocytosis can also occur due to cancer. In some cancers, lymphocytosis serves as an early marker. Tumors that cause lymphocytosis are:
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Large granular lymphocytic leukemia.
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
• Limfom not Hodgkin.
Viral infections are a very common cause of lymphocytosis. Infections occur when harmful bacteria or parasites enter the human body. Lymphocytes multiply to fight these bacteria and allow the body to be free of foreign particles. Some of the common infections that cause lymphocytosis are:
•Syphilis
• Tuberculosis
• Whooping cough
• HIV
• Oreion
• Rubeola
• Gripa
• Adenovirus
Lymphocytosis can also be caused by excessive smoking, medical emergencies due to stress, autoimmune diseases, and drug allergies.
There are usually no severe symptoms of lymphocytosis. If the lymphocytosis is due to a serious disease, there may be symptoms. These symptoms are swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and near the stomach region. Other symptoms include breathing difficulties, severe pain, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, fatiguenausea, vomiting, etc.
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