Leukopenia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What Is Leukopenia?

Leukopenia, also known as low white blood cell count, is characterized by a decrease in the blood's disease-fighting cells (leukocytes). Leukopenia is almost always associated with a reduction in a specific type of white blood cell (neutrophil). White blood cells (WBC), 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 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 (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is an example of an 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. The formation of granulomas, or small areas of inflammation, in various systems throughout the body distinguishes it. 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.

• 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 a Dangerously Low White Blood Cell Count?

Anything less than 4,000 WBCs per microliter. Furthermore, individuals will be even more susceptible to infections if their neutrophil count is less than 500 cells per microliter. Even microorganisms that ordinarily reside in the mouth without causing problems could infect them.

How Is Leukopenia Diagnosed?

• Medical History: The physician will perform a physical exam and take a medical history to diagnose leukopenia. They may ask about the 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 in the blood. If the WBC count is low, the doctor will order additional tests to help determine the condition's root cause.

• Cultures of the affected region are examined for bacterial or fungal illnesses 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- To give the immune system time to produce more WBCs, one might occasionally need to interrupt a treatment. The blood cell counts could gradually increase between chemotherapy sessions or after radiation treatment. WBC replenishment takes different lengths of time for different individuals. The physician may change the dosage of any medications individuals take if they induce leukopenia. If possible, they might be advised to change to a different drug.

• Growth Factor Therapy- Bone marrow-derived growth factors, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factors, can aid in the production of more white blood cells in the human body. Growth factors like Filgrastim and Pegfilgrastim are some examples that could be used.

• Low-Bacterial Diet- This diet is supposed to lower the likelihood of contracting bacteria from food or food preparation. There are specific food categories one should attempt to stay away from if the white blood cell levels are low. Among them are:

1. Uncooked or inadequately cooked seafood, poultry, or meat.

2. Uncooked or raw eggs and dishes like hollandaise sauce or homemade. Mayonnaise, which includes raw eggs.

3. Dairy products that are raw or unpasteurized.

4. Uncooked sprouts.

• Medications - Medication may be administered to an individual to treat an infection that already exists or to avoid infection. Antifungals for fungal infections and antibiotics for bacterial infections are two instances.

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:

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash one's hands often with soap and water.

• Keep up with all vaccinations, such as COVID-19 and flu injections.

• Never share cups, utensils, food, or beverages with other people.

• Never share a toothbrush, shaver, or cloth with someone else.

• Stay away from ill people and from crowds where one could be close to sick people.

• Prevent wounds such as cuts, scratches, or tears, and treat wounds right once the skin becomes damaged.

• Wash fruits and vegetables, keep meats separate from other foods, prepare meals in a hygienic kitchen, and cook food to the right temperature to minimize the spread of germs.

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 people 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 the treatment. Low WBC (white blood cell) 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.