Reduced monocytes are harbingers of disease

Monocytes are a variety of large leukocytes, active phagocytic blood cells that are generated in the bone marrow. 2-3 days after their release into the main blood streams, monocytes are placed in the tissues and transformed into macrophages. The main function of monocyte macrophages is the absorption of foreign agents - chemical compounds, proteins and individual cells. Thus, monocytes initiate a specific immune response to the invasion of foreign antigens. A significant expansion of antigens can provoke an increase in the level of monocytes, and in some cases, their rapid growth.

The norm of the monocyte content in the blood

The normal amount of monocytes in the blood is from 1 to 8 percent. Their percentage is determined when an overall blood test is performed. Monocytes are lowered during the period of taking medication "Prednisolone" and the like. The percentage ratio of monocytes to other phagocytes is determined by deducing the leukocyte formula. Reduced monocytes, as a rule, cause an increase in leukocytes, with homogeneity of phagocytes in most cases, their relationship is traced.

The phagocytic mood of blood cells is determined by the clinical picture of the disease. In the process of treatment with the use of potent drugs, low monocytes can be activated and successfully fight with foreign cells. The balance of the presence of leukocytes and monocytes in the blood increases the effectiveness of treatment.

Leukocytes are lowered, monocytes are increased

Pathological processes in the body, even the most insignificant, cause an increase in monocytes - monocytosis.

Relative monocytosis is usually accompanied by a marked decrease in the blood of leukocytes, a phenomenon characteristic of neutropenia or lymphocytopenia. Reduced monocytes, as a rule, do not cause fear, while monocytosis is a sign of the following diseases:

• Chronic monocytic or myelomonocytic leukemia;
• Leukosis of myeloblastic, acute monoblast leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis;
• Infectious endocarditis, rickettsial and protozoal virus infection;
• Lupus erythematosus, arthritis, polyarteritis;
• Brucellosis, ulcerative colitis, enteritis, syphilis.

Low leukocyte count

Reducing the level of leukocytes is called leukopenia. This disease can be caused by the following reasons:

• The bone marrow generates leukocytes in insufficient quantities;
• Destruction of leukocytes directly in the blood vessels;
• Stagnation of leukocytes with possible delay in depot organs;
• Neutralization of leukocytes in force-majeure circumstances (as a result of collapse or shock).

Factors preventing the formation of leukocytes

Various anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Butadion, Amidopyrine, Analgin and Pirabutol, have a negative influence on the process of leukocyte formation. The development of leukopenia is also promoted by medicines of antibacterial action: "Levomycitin", "Synthomycin", "Sulfanilamide". Significantly reduce the level of leukocytes in the blood of cytotoxic-methotrexate and cyclophosphamide.

The main function of tissue macrophages, monocytes, leukocytes and a number of others is the absorption of harmful particles that somehow appeared in the body. This unique purification of blood occurs in the process of phagocytosis, in which the dominant role is assigned to monocytes as the largest phagocytic cells.

Monocytes also have a cytoscopic effect on cancer cells and malarial pathogens. The result of the analysis of "decreased monocytes" means that they are less in the body than they should be, and therefore they are less effective, but their functions are preserved.