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Neutrophilia Disorders - Causes, Complications, and Diagnosis

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This article deals with the pieces of information about neutrophilia disorders. Read below to get more details.

Written by

Dr. Karthika Rp

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan

Published At May 15, 2023
Reviewed AtAugust 25, 2023

Introduction

Neutrophils are the body's most prominent white blood cells that act as a front-line defense of the immune system. It helps to heal wounds and fight infections. When microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses attack the body, neutrophils are one of the foremost immune cells to react. They travel to the site of infection. They ingest the microbes and kill them by releasing enzymes. Neutrophils also improve the reaction of immune cells. Neutrophils are a type of phagocyte and granulocyte. Neutrophils are produced by bone marrow cells. It travels the circulating blood system in the body to tissues, lymph nodes, and different body parts.

What Is Meant by Neutrophilia?

Neutrophilia, also referred to as neutrophilic leukocytosis, results because the neutrophil count is too high; sometimes, it is associated with a bacterial infection. The absolute neutrophil count is the number of neutrophils in a blood sample, ranging from 4000 to 11,000 neutrophils per microliter of blood for healthy adults. Therefore, a neutrophil count above 11,000 or less than 4000 is at risk for neutrophil disease.

What Causes Neutrophilia?

It is natural for the body to produce more neutrophils to help repair. But when the count of neutrophils does not reduce to normal levels after repairing an injury, it can become a condition and affect a person's overall health. The number of neutrophils in the body may increase due to the following:

  • Infections (especially bacterial).

  • Inflammation (non-infectious).

  • Injury or trauma.

  • Certain types of leukemia (cancer).

  • Allergic reactions to certain drugs.

  • Smoking cigarettes or sniffing tobacco.

  • Excessive exercise.

  • Steroids.

Neutrophilia is the body's reaction to an infection or invader, which can emerge from an extreme blood disorder, infection, or stress at work. Neutrophilia is divided into two categories such as primary and secondary.

Primary Neutrophilia Causes -

One can be born with neutrophilia. Other causes include

  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia - A form of blood cancer (leukemia) affecting white blood cells.

  • Essential Thrombocytosis (ET) is a rare disorder causing excessive platelet production.

  • Polycythemia Vera (blood disorder when the bone marrow produces excessive RBCs (red blood cells)).

  • Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) is a rare blood cancer. It typically affects children when certain white blood cells do not mature normally.

  • Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia - This rare blood cancer happens when the bone marrow produces excessive neutrophils.

Secondary neutrophilia causes are associated with various infections, inflammation caused by medical conditions, and the body's reaction to stress. Some causes may include

  • The presence of an Infection can lead to inflammation.

  • Acute, chronic inflammation is caused by rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

  • Vasculitis is called inflammation is seen in the blood vessels.

  • Injuries or sudden trauma.

  • Reactions to tumors.

  • Adverse reaction to a medication.

  • Physical or emotional stress.

  • Smoking cigarettes.

  • Vigorous exercise.

Leukemia

Cancer that results from the irregular growth of the blood-forming tissues, bone marrow, and lymphatic system is called leukemia. There are many types of leukemia, among which some are more common in children, and others occur mostly in adults. Most leukemias affect the white blood cells, which fight infections in the body. But in leukemia, the bone marrow delivers abnormal white blood cells, which do not function like normal WBC (white blood cells). It is the most typical cancer affecting children below 15 years of age. The treatment is complicated, and it depends on the type of leukemia. It can also be lethal.

Leukemia is classified either by its rate of progression or the type of cell affected. The classification based on the type of cell affected is:

1. Lymphocytic Leukemia - The lymphoid cells (lymphocytes), which form the lymphatic tissue, are affected.

2. Myelogenous Leukemia - The myeloid cells, which build red and white blood cells and platelet-producing cells, are affected.

The classification based on the speed of progression is:

1. Acute Leukemia - This type of leukemia spreads and deteriorates quickly. Here, the blood cells are immature and cannot carry out their normal functions but multiply rapidly. It requires treatment.

2. Chronic Leukemia - This type progresses slowly and goes undiagnosed for years. The blood cells are more mature, so they usually function for some time and do not replicate and spread quickly. There are many types of chronic leukemia.

Leukemia has various types, and the common one is mentioned below,

  • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is the most typical childhood cancer but can also affect adults.

  • Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia affecting children and adults.

  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is adults' most common chronic leukemia.

  • Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) is mostly seen in grown-ups.

  • Hairy Cell Leukemia is a rare and chronic leukemia affecting the B cells (lymphocytes).

  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes - A disease results when the bone marrow creates immature blood cells.

How Is Neutrophilia Diagnosed?

Neutrophilia is most often a sign of underlying illness. Healthcare providers usually do physical assessments to look for infection, inflammation, or blood disorders. The test includes a complete blood count (CBC). The test results interpret the total number of white blood cells and how many white blood cells are neutrophils.

What Are the Complications Associated With Neutrophilia?

The complications of neutrophilia are the following:

  • Blood hyperviscosity (or thrombophilia is the improved tendency of blood to thrombose) is associated with leukemoid reactions (increased white blood cell count).

  • Bacteremia, septic (infection) shock, and multiple organ failure in untreated infections.

  • Wound healing disorder, severe periodontitis (dental gum disease), and severe mental impairment.

  • Thrombosis (multiple blood clots inside a blood vessel), hemorrhage (blood loss), and transformation to acute leukemia (development of cancer).

How to Reduce the Risk of Developing Neutrophilia?

Normally, neutrophilia cannot be prevented. However, one can be born with neutrophilia (congenital neutrophilia) or develop it (acquired neutrophilia) because of an underlying medical condition. If a severe underlying condition is absent, the risk of developing neutrophilia can be reduced by taking good care of the health. For example

  • Smoking cessation.

  • Exercise and keep a healthy weight.

  • Meditation for stress reduction.

  • Have a strong immunity to fight seasonal colds and flu.

What Is the Prognosis for Neutrophilia?

In the case of neutrophilia, the prognosis, or expected result, depends on the underlying medical condition activating the overproduction of neutrophils. Neutrophilia associated with infection and inflammatory state settles with the resolution of the conditions. Drug-related neutrophilia may be fixed by discontinuing treatment or discontinuing the drug.

Conclusion

Neutrophilia happens when the body has too many neutrophils, white blood cell that fights off infections. Neutrophilia can show itself after routine blood tests. A larger-than-normal neutrophil count is the body's response to changes. If blood tests show the neutrophil count is higher than it should be, healthcare providers or doctors may perform additional tests to diagnose the underlying condition.

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Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan
Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan

Medical oncology

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