Leukopenia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Leukopenia?

Leukopenia, also known as low white blood cell count, is characterized by a decrease in disease-fighting cells (leukocytes) in the blood. Leukopenia is almost always associated with a reduction in a specific type of white blood cell (neutrophil). White blood cells (WBC), which are essential for the immune system, are produced in the bone marrow. They assist the body in fighting diseases and infections. A person with insufficient leukocytes is more susceptible to infections and diseases.

Leukopenia can signify several health problems, including serious infections, diseases, and cancer. Leukopenia can affect one or more types of white blood cells and can cause neutropenia (occurs when there are insufficient neutrophils, a type of white blood cell), monocytopenia (a type of leukocytopenia caused by a monocyte deficiency), and other symptoms.

What Are the Causes of Leukopenia?

Leukopenia can be caused by health problems that destroy leukocytes or reduce leukocyte production. The following are some of the most common causes of leukopenia:

• Medications, particularly immunosuppressants and cancer treatments.

• Bone marrow disorders, including cancer of the bone marrow.

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS are examples of infection that consumes or attacks white blood cells.

• Malnutrition.

As a side effect, many medications can cause leukopenia. Chemotherapy medications, for example, may aggravate (worsen) leukopenia in cancer patients. Immunosuppressive medications can also cause leukopenia. In addition, many other over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can also cause leukopenia. However, not everyone who takes these medications develops leukopenia. Phenothiazine, Aminopyrine, Chloramphenicol, and Sulfonamides are among the medications that can cause neutropenia. Medication-induced leukopenia should resolve quickly after the medication is stopped, but other measures may be required if the resolution takes too long.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic illness caused by an overactive immune system. It is distinguished by the formation of granulomas, or small areas of inflammation, in various systems throughout the body. Leukopenia can occur when these granulomas form in the bone marrow.

What Are the Symptoms of Leukopenia?

Leukopenia may not be accompanied by any symptoms. On the other hand, the underlying conditions that can cause leukopenia can be severe. Furthermore, a lack of leukocytes can cause medical problems to worsen and infections to cause significant harm to the body. The following are symptoms of conditions associated with leukopenia:

• Fever, chills, and sweating.

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• Sore throat, nasal congestion.

• Shortness of breath or cough.

• Fatigue.

• Sores that take longer to heal than usual.

• Wounds that are infected.

• Appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Loss of weight.

• Lymph node enlargement.

• A swollen liver or spleen.

• Mucosal bleeding and minor skin bruises.

• Intensely painful urination.

• A wound that is draining pus.

The success of some infections depends on their ability to resolve on their own, while persistent leukopenia (specifically, neutropenia) can permit infections to recur and become more severe, requiring treatment. In addition, other underlying conditions, such as cancer, can lead to potentially fatal outcomes.

What Is the Diagnosis of Leukopenia?

• Medical History: To diagnose leukopenia, the physician will perform a physical exam and take a medical history. They may ask about the type of symptoms experienced, when they began, personal or family history of other health conditions, such as autoimmune disorders or blood or bone marrow cancers, type of medications taken, and lifestyle habits.

• Complete Blood Count: One of the tests used to help diagnose leukopenia is a complete blood count (CBC). This test will determine how many WBCs (white blood count), red blood cells, and platelets are present in the blood. If the WBC count is low, the doctor will order additional tests to help determine the root cause of the condition. A few includes:

• Cultures of an affected area look for a bacterial or fungal test for viral infections such as HIV or viral hepatitis.

• Blood tests for autoimmune conditions may include inflammation tests such as C-reactive protein or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and autoantibody tests such as rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibody (ANA).

• Bone marrow tests can be obtained through aspiration, biopsy, or both.

How to Treat Leukopenia?

The treatment options will differ depending on the cause of your leukopenia. Treatment options include:

• Discontinuation of a Few Treatments- Treatments that cause low white blood cell counts, such as chemotherapy or radiation, should be discontinued.

• Growth Factor Therapy- It is a treatment derived from bone marrow that can stimulate the production of white blood cells.

• Low-bacterial Diet- It reduces exposure to bacteria found in certain foods, such as raw, unwashed produce or undercooked meat.

• Medications - Therapy that stimulates the body's production of blood cells or combats the infection that is causing low white blood cell counts.

What Are the Complications of Leukopenia?

Leukopenia involves low infection-fighting immune cells, which can lead to potentially serious complications if left untreated. Some of the complications of leukopenia are as follows:

• Being forced to postpone cancer treatment due to a minor infection.

• Life-threatening infections, such as septicemia, a severe bloodstream infection.

• A blood infection such as sepsis is a potentially fatal response by the body.

• Recurring or protracted infections.

• Premature death.

How to Avoid Infections in Leukopenia?

The following home treatments and behaviors may assist a person suffering from leukopenia in improving their condition and lowering their risk of infection:

• Consuming a nutritious diet.

• Getting enough rest to avoid cuts, scrapes, and skin damage.

• Practicing good hygiene to avoid germs.

• Maintaining good health.

• Washing hands.

• Avoid even the smallest cuts or scrapes.

• Cook foods to their safe minimum cooking temperature at all times.

Conclusion:

A low white blood cell count characterizes leukopenia. Neutropenia, or low neutrophil levels, is the most common type of leukopenia. Although leukopenia has no symptoms, it makes a person more susceptible to infections. However, individuals may not realize they have leukopenia until they develop infection symptoms such as fever or chills. Leukopenia can be caused by several conditions, including certain types of cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In addition, a variety of medical conditions and medications can cause leukopenia.

The underlying cause will determine treatment. Low WBC (white blood cells) counts make people vulnerable to infection, so they should take precautions against infection while suffering from leukopenia. Individuals can reduce their risk of infection by making dietary and lifestyle changes.