24 Questions
What percentage of total leukocytes are neutrophils in an adult?
50 – 70
What is the typical diameter of a neutrophil?
10 – 12 µm
What is the shape of the nucleus in a monocyte?
Kidney-shaped
What is the function of the granules in the cytoplasm of neutrophils?
To liberate enzymes to kill bacteria
What is the term for leukocytes with nuclei consisting of multiple lobes?
Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
What percentage of total leukocytes are lymphocytes in an adult?
20 – 30
What is the purpose of adding cedar wood oil to the smear?
To enable the use of oil immersion lens
What is the typical percentage of eosinophils in total WBCs?
1-4%
What is the minimum number of white blood cells that should be counted for a reliable result?
100
What is the characteristic shape of the nucleus in basophils?
S-shape
What is the term for an increase in the number of circulating neutrophils?
Neutrophilia
What is the reason for a slight increase in neutrophils under physiological conditions?
All of the above
What is the primary function of lymphocytes?
Antibody formation
What is the purpose of the Leishman's stain in the blood film preparation?
To identify the different types of white blood cells
What is the typical size range of small lymphocytes?
6-8 µm
What is the final step in the differential count of white blood cells?
Expressing the result in absolute numbers
What is unique about the cytoplasm of monocytes?
It has a 'ground-glass' appearance
What is the normal percentage of monocytes in total WBCs?
2-10%
Which of the following conditions is associated with eosinopenia?
Acute pyogenic infections
Which of the following is a cause of neutropenia?
Drugs like chloramphenicol
Which of the following diseases is associated with monocytosis?
Infectious mononucleosis
Which of the following conditions is associated with lymphocytosis?
Chronic infections
Which of the following is a cause of basophilia?
Chronic myeloid leukemia
Which of the following conditions is associated with lymphocytopenia?
Patients on ACTH and steroid therapy
Study Notes
Leukocytes
- There are 5 types of leukocytes: neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
- Have nuclei consisting of a number of lobes
- Also called granulocytes due to small granules in their cytoplasm
- 3 types: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils
Neutrophils
- Diameter: 10-12 µm
- Nucleus: 2-5 lobes, densely staining
- Cytoplasm: fine dark-blue or purple granules, lysosomal in nature, able to kill bacteria
- Percentage: 50-70% of total WBCs
Eosinophils
- Diameter: 10-12 µm
- Nucleus: usually 2 lobes
- Cytoplasm: densely packed with large oval granules, staining bright red or orange
- Percentage: 1-4% of total WBCs
Basophils
- Diameter: 8-10 µm
- Nucleus: irregular, divided into 2 lobes (S-shape)
- Cytoplasm: contains dark-blue granules, containing heparin and histamine
- Percentage: <1% of total WBCs
Lymphocytes
- Concerned with antibody formation
- Two forms: small (6-8 µm) and large (12-16 µm)
- Small lymphocytes: round nucleus, densely staining condensed chromatin, thin rim, blue cytoplasm
- Large lymphocytes: more plentiful cytoplasm, staining pale blue, sometimes showing a few granules
- Percentage: 20-45% of total WBCs
Monocytes
- Largest white blood cells
- Nucleus: irregular shape, fine chromatin, often kidney-shaped (Reni form)
- Cytoplasm: blue-gray color, "ground-glass" appearance, contains lysosomal granules and vacuoles
- Percentage: 2-10% of total WBCs
Differential Leukocyte Count
- Performed by examining a blood film stained with Leishman's stain under immersion oil
- Apparatus and reagents: glass slide, Leishman's stain, cedar wood oil, microscope
- Procedure: prepare and stain blood film, examine under immersion oil, count at least 100 WBCs, record count, and calculate percentage of each type of cell
Variations in Leukocyte Count
- Neutrophilia (increase in neutrophils): seen in acute pyogenic infections, physiological conditions, and certain diseases
- Neutropenia (decrease in neutrophils): seen in typhoid and paratyphoid fever, malaria, aplastic anemia, and certain drug treatments
- Lymphocytosis (increase in lymphocytes): seen in chronic infections, tuberculosis, and whooping cough
- Lymphocytopenia (decrease in lymphocytes): seen in patients on ACTH and steroid therapy
- Eosinophilia (increase in eosinophils): seen in allergic conditions, pulmonary eosinophilia, and intestinal infestation with worms
- Eosinopenia (decrease in eosinophils): seen in acute pyogenic infections and patients on ACTH and steroid therapy
- Basophilia (increase in basophils): seen in chronic myeloid leukemia, small pox, and polycythemia
- Monocytosis (increase in monocytes): seen in infectious mononucleosis, malaria, and kala azar
Test your knowledge of the different types of leukocytes, including their characteristics, size, and percentage of total leukocytes in adults. Identify the different types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
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