Lymphocytopenia occurs when the lymphocytes in the blood are decreased to an abnormally low level. A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell found in the body's immune system. About 20-40 percent of white blood cells in the blood are lymphocytes, with the normal range considered to be 1,500 cells [microliter] in adults and 3000 cells [microliter] in children. A reduction in this count signifies an underlying disease or disorder that has to be diagnosed by a physician and treated accordingly.
AIDS
One cause of lymphocytopenia is AIDS. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease that affects the immune system of the body, causing the body to lack the effectiveness to fight infection. AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system and causes a drastic reduction in white blood cells. This therefore depleting the body's immunity and causes sufferers to get dangerously ill.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is another cause of lymphocytopenia. When a person does not eat the right amount of nutrients, the body starts to use its own resources to generate energy. This causes the white blood cells in the body to be depleted, as there is not enough energy to produce the white cells needed to fight infections.
Corticosteroids
The use of corticosteroids in the treatment of disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other such disorders may temporarily decrease the lymphocyte count. A side effect of corticosteroid use is its interference in the production and yield of blood cell function, which also decreases the body's ability to fight infection.
Cancer
Various forms of cancer, such as leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma, are a leading cause of lymphocytopenia. Cancer alters the body's ability to create healthy white blood cells, which means that the white blood cell count in the body is severely reduced. Since lymphocytes are a form of white blood cells, their production is also affected and the reduced numbers in the blood cause lymphocytopenia to develop.
Chronic infections
Infections such as tuberculosis and malaria may also reduce the lymphocyte count in the blood. These are infections that alter the blood composition and cause the body to become susceptible to secondary infections.
Chemotherapy
Cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiation, may limit the production of lymphocytes. While these treatments kill cancer cells in the body, they also kill healthy cells, like lymphocytes, causing the body to become weak and susceptible to various infections.
Hereditary immunodeficiency disorders
There are hundreds of genetic immunodeficiency disorders that cause the immune system to malfunction. Recurring infections and a weak body are symptoms of these disorders as they reduce the immune system's capacity to fight foreign bodies in the blood stream. As a result, the white blood count in the body is dramatically decreased. These diseases include Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome and Leukocyte adhesion defects.
Tags: white blood, blood cells, immune system, white blood cells, cause lymphocytopenia