Leukocytes Health Dictionary

A group of conditions having the characteristic elevation of eosinophils. These somewhat mysterious granulocytic leukocytes (white blood cells filled with cottage cheese) are definitely involved in parasite resistance, seem to initiate strong inflammation under some conditions, can facilitate clotting by inhibiting heparin, yet also are a part of the process of healing and inflammation control as an infection winds down. Eosinophilia is on one hand an inherited condition associated with atopic dermatitis (common, relatively benign, and irritating as hell), but, when acquired from chemical contact, drug reaction or spontaneously surfaced auto-immune response, it can destroy muscles, nerve, lungs, even kill. It caused the notorious string of chemical reactions that was triggered by tainted Japanese tryptophan.... eosinophilia

Another name for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, the most common type of blood-carried white blood cell, and the first mobile resistance cell to come to the rescue in injury.... neutrophils

White Blood Cells, including those of innate immunity, including basophils, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, macrophages (and others) and those of acquired immunity, the various types of lymphocytes. Also called leukocytes.... wbc

The red fluid that circulates in the body’s veins, arteries, and capillaries. Blood is pumped by the heart via the arteries to the lungs and all other tissues and is then returned to the heart in veins (see circulatory system). Blood is the body’s transport system and plays an important role in the defence against infection. An average adult has about 5 litres of blood.

Almost half of the volume of blood consists of blood cells; these include red blood cells (erythrocytes), which carry oxygen to tissues; white blood cells (leukocytes), which fight infection; and platelets (thrombocytes), which are involved in blood clotting. The remainder of the blood volume is a watery, strawcoloured fluid called plasma, which contains dissolved proteins, sugars, fats, salts, and minerals. Nutrients are transported in the blood to the tissues after absorption from the intestinal tract or after release from storage depots such as the liver. Waste products, including urea and bilirubin are carried in the plasma to the kidneys and liver respectively.

Plasma proteins include fibrinogen; which is involved in blood clotting; immunoglobulins (also called antibodies) and complement, which are part of the immune system; and albumin. Hormones are also transported in the blood to their target organs.... blood

Cells, also called blood corpuscles, present in blood for most or part of their lifespan. They include red blood cells, which make up about 45 per cent by volume of normal blood, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood cells are made in the bone marrow by a series of divisions from stem cells.

Red blood cells (also known as RBCs, red blood corpuscles, or erythrocytes) transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues (see respiration). Each is packed with haemoglobin, enzymes, minerals, and sugars. Abnormalities can occur in the rate at which RBCs are either produced or destroyed, in their numbers, and in their shape, size, and haemoglobin content, causing forms of

anaemia and polycythaemia (see blood, disorders of).

White blood cells (also called WBCs, white blood corpuscles, or leukocytes) protect the body against infection and fight infection when it occurs. The 3 main types of are granulocytes (also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes), monocytes, and lymphocytes. Granulocytes are further classified as neutrophils, eosinophils, or basophils, and each type of granulocyte has a role in either fighting infection or in inflammatory or allergic reactions. Monocytes and lymphocytes also play an important part in the immune system. Lymphocytes are usually formed in the lymph nodes. One type, a T-lymphocyte, is responsible for the delayed hypersensitivity reactions

White (see allergy) and Red blood blood cell is also involved in cell (neutrophil) protection against cancer. T-lymphocytes manufacture chemicals, known as lymphokines, which affect the function of other cells. In addition, the T-cells moderate the activity of B-lymphocytes, which form the antibodies that can prevent a second attack of certain infectious diseases. Platelets (also known as thrombocytes), are the smallest blood cells and are important in blood clotting.

The numbers, shapes, and appearance of the various types of blood cell are of great value in the diagnosis of disease (see blood count; blood film).... blood cells

A type of leukaemia, also called chronic granulocytic leukaemia, which is caused by the overproduction of granulocytes, neutrophils, or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (see blood cells). The cause is unknown. This type of leukaemia usually has 2 phases: a chronic phase, which may last for several years, and a more cancerous phase, which is known as the blastic, accelerated, or acute phase.

During the chronic phase, symptoms may include fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Visual disturbances, abdominal pain, and priapism may also occur. The symptoms of the more cancerous phase are like those of the acute forms of leukaemia (see leukaemia, acute). The diagnosis is made from blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. Treatment of the chronic phase includes anticancer drugs. When the disease transforms into the acute phase, treatment is similar to that given for acute leukaemia.... leukaemia, chronic myeloid