Differences In Lymphocyte Counts Research Articles

Evaluation of the Sysmex NE-8000:Automated Hematology Analyzer in a High-Volume Outpatient Laboratory

An evaluation of SYSMEX NE-8000 (Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., Kobe, Japan) hematology analyzer, including its automated five-part white blood cell (WBC) differential count, was performed in a high-volume outpatient laboratory. Precision, mixing studies, stability, carry-over, and linearity were all within the limits stated by the manufacturer. Evaluation of the five-part WBC differential revealed excellent correlation with manual differential neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. Monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil data were acceptable given the known poor precision of 200 cell manual WBC differential counts when low percentages of individual cell types are present. Overall, flagging for morphologic abnormalities displayed a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 97%. The combination of the flagging system with the visual record provided by the NE-8000 WBC histogram represents an effective tool for separating normal from abnormal specimens, and allows considerable selectivity in the performance of follow-up manual WBC differential counts.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia with low lymphocyte count.

A peripheral blood absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) of greater than 5 x 10(9)/l is considered the required minimum for diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cases with low ALC (CLL-LLC), less than 5 x 10(9)/l, have not been included in the current staging systems, and would not be suspected of having CLL, or investigated for the disease, especially in the absence of clinical manifestations. On the other hand, the diagnostic value of the differential lymphocyte counts have not been emphasized. Cell suspensions from peripheral blood of previously untreated cases of CLL-LLC (n = 12) and typical CLL (n = 189) were analyzed for immunologic evaluation of surface immunoglobulin (SIg), mouse erythrocyte rosettes, CD5, CD19, CD20, CD22, and CD2, as well as cytochemical evaluation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The results in CLL-LLC were compared statistically with typical CLL. The ages of the 12 patients with CLL-LLC ranged from 47 to 84 years. The absolute lymphocyte counts ranged from 1.5 x 10(9)/l to 4.9 x 10(9)/l, and the percentage of lymphocytes in the differential leukocyte counts ranged from 52% to 93%. None of the patients had signs and symptoms of CLL or other conditions that may cause reactive lymphocytosis. CLL-LLC demonstrated similar characteristics to typical CLL, i.e., weak expression of monoclonal SIg, mouse rosette formation, positive CD5, high CD19 and CD20, negative CD22 and TRAP. No statistical differences existed between the immunologic markers or between SIg isotype distribution in the two groups. Cases of CLL-LLC constituted 6% of B-CLL and would have been missed if immunologic investigation was not carried out because of the absence of absolute lymphocytosis and clinical manifestations of CLL. Persistent relative lymphocytosis of > or = 50% of the differential leukocyte count in older individuals (older than 50 years of age), is an indication for further investigation of CLL by immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes and examination of bone marrow.

Changes in epithelial lining fluid albumin associated with smoking and interstitial lung disease

Albumin is an important plasma protein which is useful in the assessment of in vivo membrane permeability in the lung. In subjects with interstitial lung disease (ILD) the relationship between albumin recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and other markers of inflammatory activity may provide useful information of the pathogenesis of the disease process. Unfortunately, its measurement is hampered by the variable dilution in BAL fluid. In this study, urea was used as a marker of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) dilution allowing the calculation of an apparent epithelial lining fluid volume and adjusted albumin content. We examined the relationship between ELF albumin content and BAL cell counts, immunoglobulin content, respiratory function tests and gallium lung scans in both smokers and nonsmokers with and without interstitial lung disease. Forty seven subjects with connective tissue disease and interstitial lung disease and 51 subjects with either connective tissue disease but no pulmonary involvement or non pulmonary malignancy (18 current smokers) underwent BAL, gallium lung scans and respiratory function tests. The subjects with ILD were further subdivided into those with active ILD or bronchiolitis using cluster analysis. In smokers without ILD an increased ELF volume and a decrease in ELF albumin were found. Increased ELF albumin was related to increased age. In subjects with ILD, increased albumin was strongly correlated with increased BAL lymphocyte absolute and differential counts, which overwhelmed any age or smoking effect. These findings suggest a possible causal relationship between lung vascular permeability and lymphocyte numbers in subjects with interstitial lung disease and reinforce the need to consider smoking and age as confounding factors in BAL analysis.

Notes on age-related changes in differential leucocyte counts of the Charles River outbred albino SD rat and CD1 mouse

Comprehensive baseline data from differential leucocyte counts are essential for the evaluation of leucocyte status in long-term carcinogenicity studies. Little information on lifetime variations of leucocyte types in the Charles River outbred albino rat and mouse has been published and this report describes the differential leucocyte count in rats and mice, held in our environment, sampled at 52, 78 and 104 weeks. Data revealed an age-related increase in differential neutrophil count and a corresponding decrease in differential lymphocyte count. Monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts were unchanged during the lifetime of the animals.

Cell‐mediated and humoral immune responses to total hip replacement under spinal or general anaesthesia

Regional anaesthesia has many advantages over general anaesthesia in hip surgery. When the effects of total hip replacement under spinal or general anaesthesia were compared in 22 patients, the only difference between the groups occurred in PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses. In contrast, no differences between the groups were observed in leucocyte or differential counts, lymphocyte or subtype counts, most mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses, NK-cell activity, IgG, IgM or IgA production by unstimulated or PWM-stimulated lymphocytes, proliferative responses of control lymphocytes with 15% patient serum, or chemiluminescence values in phagocytosis of zymosan opsonized with patient serum. Thus, regional anaesthesia is indicated in total hip replacement for reasons other than the immune response.

T-cell and plasma cell populations in coeliac small intestinal mucosa in relation to dermatitis herpetiformis.

Differential lymphocyte and plasma cell counts and measurements of mucosal architecture were studied in small intestinal biopsies from 17 controls and 17 patients with untreated uncomplicated coeliac disease of whom five also had dermatitis herpetiformis. Intraepithelial T-cell and plasma cell counts and measurements of mucosal architecture were not significantly different in the two coeliac groups but both groups differed from the controls. Lamina propria T-cell counts were significantly higher in the patients who also had dermatitis herpetiformis than in uncomplicated coeliac disease, with a significant increase in the Leu 2 (CD8) positive (cytotoxic/suppressor) T-cell subset. This suggests a specific abnormality of T-cell control of immune responsiveness in the pathogenesis of the skin manifestations of dermatitis herpetiformis which is not found in uncomplicated coeliac disease.

The effect of filtration on absolute and differential cell counts in fluid obtained at bronchoalveolar lavage

We have studied the effects of filtering mucus from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid on its cellular contents. We examined BAL fluid from 18 patients without excessive endobronchial mucus, and from three patients with bronchiectasis. In the non-bronchiectatic subjects there was a fall of 18% in mean absolute cell count from 2.66 +/- SD 1.9 x 10(9) l-1 to 2.18 +/- 1.4 x 10(9) l-1 (P less than 0.05) as a result of filtration. This was due to a selective loss of macrophages and there were no significant changes in the absolute numbers of either lymphocytes or neutrophils. The differential macrophage count fell from a mean of 82 +/- 14% to 76 +/- 16%, while the mean differential lymphocyte count rose from 14 +/- 7% to 19 +/- 9% and the mean differential neutrophil count increased slightly from 4 +/- 4% to 5 +/- 4%. In the three patients with bronchiectasis the absolute cell counts were grossly raised, due almost entirely to an excess of neutrophils. In these patients, filtration reduced the absolute macrophage count by 61% and the absolute neutrophil count by 27%. Overall, change in absolute cell count correlated significantly with mucus volume (r = 0.76, P less than 0.05). Removal of mucus by filtration affects absolute cell count and may have a selective effect on cell numbers. If filtration of BAL fluid is unavoidable, its effect on cell counts should be clearly established if data from different centres are to be meaningfully compared.

Effect of sampling site and collection method on variations in baseline clinical pathology parameters in Fischer-344 rats: II. Clinical hematology

An analysis of the influence of blood-sampling site and collection method on peripheral hematology parameters was conducted in age-matched male Fischer-344 rats. Sites examined for blood collection were the right ventricle, abdominal aorta, abdominal vena cava, retroorbital plexus, and tail. Collection methods used included syringe (10 ml), Vacutainer(s) (3 ml or 3 ml × 2), and capillary tube. Blood collected from the tail exhibited leukocyte counts approximately twice those of samples from other sites. Blood collected from the retroorbital plexus and tail exhibited significant variations in white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and differences in leukocyte differential counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils when compared with other sites. Blood collected from the abdominal aorta and in a second Vacutainer from the right ventricle exhibited lower erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts than that collected from other sites with the exception of the platelet count from tail blood which was lower than that from all other sites. Although parameter values vary with sample site selection, those obtained from right ventricle blood were the least variable and the most consistent when compared with all other methods.

Effect of Sampling Site and Collection Method on Variations in Baseline Clinical Pathology Parameters in Fischer-344 Rats

Effect of Sampling Site and Collection Method on Variations in Baseline Clinical Pathology Parameters in Fischer-344 Rats. II. Clinical Hematology. SMITH, C.N., NEPTUN, D. A., AND IRONS, R.D. (1986). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 7, 658-663. An analysis of the influence of blood-sampling site and collection method on peripheral hematology parameters was conducted in age-matched male Fischer-344 rats. Sites examined for blood collection were the right ventricle, abdominal aorta, abdominal vena cava, retroorbital plexus, and tail. Collection methods used included syringe (10 ml), Vacutainer(s) (3 ml or 3 ml × 2), and capillary tube. Blood collected from the tail exhibited leukocyte counts approximately twice those of samples from other sites. Blood collected from the retroorbital plexus and tail exhibited significant variations in white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, and differences in leukocyte differential counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils when compared with other sites. Blood collected from the abdominal aorta and in a second Vacutainer from the right ventricle exhibited lower erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts than that collected from other sites with the exception of the platelet count from tail blood which was lower than that from all other sites. Although parameter values vary with sample site selection, those obtained from right ventricle blood were the least variable and the most consistent when compared with all other methods.

Complete suppression of skin allograft rejection in rats treated with continuous infusion of 2'deoxycoformycin.

Congenital deficiency of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) results in severe combined immunodeficiency. 2'deoxycoformycin (2'dcf) is a tightly binding inhibitor of ADA, and the drug makes it possible to mimic a state of ADA deficiency. In this study we tested the immunosuppressive effect of 2'dcf in a rat skin transplantation model. Rats treated with continuous infusion of 2'dcf at doses of 0.3 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg and 0.7 mg/kg body wt/day showed significant prolongation of graft survival. 2'dcf given by bolus injections did not prolong graft survival. In rats treated with continuous infusion of 2'dcf at a dose of 0.7 mg/kg body wt/day mean graft survival time (MST) after withdrawal of treatment was equal to MST in untreated animals, suggesting that during 2'dcf treatment allograft rejection was completely suppressed. In vitro, lymphocytes isolated from animals treated with continuous infusion of 2'dcf showed marked suppression of mitogen response. The 2'dcf preferentially effects lymphocytes, but neutrophils seem resistant to the effect of the drug. The lymphocytotoxic effect of the drug is extreme; during therapy splenic weight decreased by almost 50% and the differential lymphocyte count in blood decreased from 85% to 17%. Immunofluorescence studies showed that, within the spleen, the amount of T cells and B cells decreased markedly. Both T cell subsets were affected--OX8+ cells (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells) and W3/25+ (helper T cells). However OX8+ cells were more resistant to the drug than W3/25+ cells. Skin-grafted rats treated with 2'dcf showed a strong decrease in the W3/25: OX8 ratio. In contrast, untreated rats showed a slight increase in the ratio after skin transplantation. It is concluded that 2'dcf is a strong immunosuppressive drug in rats if given by continuous infusion.

T-lymphocyte subpopulations in uveitis.

Following an inconclusive study of differential lymphocyte counts in uveitis in which the peripheral blood was examined only once in the course of each case a longitudinal study has been carried out in patients with acute anterior uveitis. Venous blood lymphocytes were examined at intervals throughout the course of the illness, from presentation until six months later. No changes in E-rosetting T cells or total lymphocyte values have been found, nor any variations from normal in the helper (OKT4)/suppressor (OKT8) T-cell ratio. Random studies performed in a sample of patients with heterochromic cyclitis have also failed to reveal consistent abnormalities in peripheral blood lymphocyte parameters.

Immunoresponsiveness in acute babesiosis in humans.

Immunoresponsiveness in patients with acute babesiosis was characterized. Lymphocyte subpopulations, mononuclear cell responses to nonspecific mitogens, and serum immunochemical values were studied in patients during acute babesiosis and after recovery (four to 40 months), controls, and seropositive individuals. Serum studies were also carried out retrospectively on stored sera from patients with babesiosis. Mean and differential lymphocyte counts and percentages of B lymphocytes were higher than in controls in patients with acute babesiosis, and levels of T lymphocytes bearing the IgG Fc receptor (T gamma) were significantly (P less than 0.01) elevated. Responses to nonspecific mitogens were suppressed during acute babesiosis. Levels of serum IgG and IgM and Clq binding were significantly increased whereas C3 and C4 levels and hemolytic activity were suppressed in acute-phase sera. The apparent paradox of an increased T suppressor/cytotoxic population in the presence of evidence of increased in vivo lymphocyte function is discussed in terms of the heterogeneity of the T gamma subpopulation.

Cytological shift in lymphocytes induced by cadmium in mice and rats

The hematological response as well as the clinical response such as retarded growth, polyuria, and proteinuria in cadmium poisoning was investigated in mice given a daily subcutaneous injection of sublethal doses of cadmium (below 2 mg Cd/kg) for 1 to 7 weeks and in rats exposed daily to an inhalation of cadmium oxide fumes (0.1 and 1.0 mg CdO/m 3) for 4 weeks. Besides a usual tendency toward neutrophilia and lymphopenia in cadmium poisoning, a significant cytological shift of lymphocytes to large lymphocytes was found in the cadmium-treated mice and rats under extended cadmium exposure. This alteration in lymphocytes was observed earlier than anemia and the other responses. It was apparent already 1 week after initiation of cadmium injection and was amplified when the administration was further prolonged. This cytological shift also depended on the dose of cadmium (0.0625 to 2 mg Cd/kg) at week 1. The increase of large lymphocyte counts was accompanied by the decrease of small lymphocyte counts and by the increase in spleen weight. These findings in lymphocytes indicate that cadmium may affect the immune system directly or compensatorily. Differential counts of lymphocytes could be a useful clinical indicator for early detection of adverse effect of environmental and industrial exposure to cadmium.

Depressed T Cells Following Neonatal Steroid Treatment

Fourty-four patients received two doses of 12.5 mg/kg of hydrocortisone or placebo on the first day of life in attempted therapy for respiratory distress syndrome. Follow-up studies were performed on survivors at 5 years of age in ten steroid-treated and seven placebo-treated respiratory distress syndrome subjects. There were no significant differences in growth, intelligence tests, or neurologic examinations in the patients assessed. Abnormal EEGs are present in both groups. Immunologic tests showed no differences in lymphocyte counts, immunoglobulin levels, diphtheria and tetanus antibody titers, or complement components. Diminished percentages of T lymphocytes were found in steroid patients (53%) compared to control subjects (69%). There were also increased percentages of lymphocytes with C3 receptors in steroid patients (20.1%) compared to control patients (13.8%). Episodes of otitis and/or pneumonia were documented in eight of 11 steroid-treated patients between the ages of 1 and 5 years, compared to two of seven patients in the placebo group in the same time period. It is concluded that large doses of steroids on the first day of life may induce lasting immunologic abnormalities and may predispose to an increased incidence of infections.

Exposure of rhesus monkeys to 20 000 G steady magnetic field: effect on blood parameters.

Sixteen monkeys were used in a study to determine the effects, or noneffects, of exposure to a steady magnetic field of 2 T (20 000 G). Arterial and venous blood samples were taken before, immediately after, and several weeks following the test. Blood gas analyses were made of arterial samples, and hemotologic cell data and Technicon SMAC analyses were made of venous samples. Differential and absolute white blood cell counts of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes were considerably changed during the test, even for monkeys which were not exposed to the magnetic field. These changes have also been observed in monkeys whose environment and daily routine are modified appreciably. Eight of the 16 monkeys were tested twice: first, in the magnet with the magnet turned on, and second, two months later, in the magnet, but with the magnet turned off. A large superconducting magnet (0.63 m i. d. and 1.85 m long warm-air bore) was used, which accommodated two monkeys at one time. Paired-t tests of 45 blood parameters showed no significant differences between the two tests. Exposure to a gradient field compared with exposure to a uniform magnetic field showed no significant differences.

Enhancement of Lymphocyte-Mediated Cytotoxicity After Tumor Resection in Patients With Colorectal Cancer<xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn2">2</xref><xref ref-type="fn" rid="fn3">3</xref>

Lymphocyte numbers and function in 37 patients with colorectal cancer were compared with those in 23 healthy controls of the same age range. No significant difference in lymphocyte count, numbers of cells forming erythrocyte rosettes or bearing surface immunoglobulin, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, or mitotic response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was found. Six to 12 months after tumor resection, patients showed a rise in spontaneous, antibody-induced, and PHA-induced cytotoxicities to levels significantly higher than those found in age-matched controls. This rise occurred irrespective of whether patients had received adjuvant immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum.

Survey for Antibodies to Bovine Leukemia Virus in Dairy and Beef Cattle in Japan

A seroepidemiological survey for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus (BLV) in dairy and beef cattle in Hokkaido and in the Towada district was performed using BLV glycoprotein antigens by the immunodiffusion test. Ninety-four of 2878 sera (3.3%) from the 14 districts of Hokkaido were positive for BLV antibodies. In contrast, in the Towada district, where enzootic bovine leukosis has been previously reported, 363 of 1127 sera (32.2%) were reactive. The number of reactive samples varied from 6.9 to 52.7% in 13 pastures in the Towada district and the percentages increased gradually with age. No significant difference in lymphocyte counts between BLV antibody positive and negative beef cattle was found. Thirty sera from cattle with naturally occurring lymphosarcoma were also tested. The sera from the adult form of bovine lymphosarcoma reacted with BLV glycoprotein antigens, but the sera from the other forms of bovine lymphosarcoma did not.

Peripheral lymphocyte counts in breast carcinoma. An index of immune competence.

A retrospective study of 305 patients with breast carcinoma provides evidence that pretreatment lymphocyte count levels serve as an index of the host's immune competence. An inverse correlation between the stage of the disease and the lymphocyte counts was observed among patients in the younger age groups. Patients in all stages remaining free of metastases in the first 5 postmastectomy years had significantly higher pretreatment counts than those who developed metastases and/or second primaries. These observations give further insight into the host–tumor interaction in breast carcinoma and indicate that difference in lymphocyte counts, previously attributed to treatment modalities that influence lymphocyte levels and cellular immune responses (radiotherapy, chemotherapy), may be completely independent and may rather reflect the host's responses to tumor growth.

Haematology of normal native cattle in Botswana.

An examination of 519 cattle from 27 areas in the eastern and southern regions of Botswana was made to determine the haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and total and differential white cell count. The differences between the Tswana and Africander cattle in the country were not significant. Cattle in Botswana tend to have lower differential neutrophil counts and higher differential lymphocyte counts than values found by most other workers for cattle elsewhere.

Leucocyte values in 1-6-day-old calves of Bos indicus crossbred and Bos taurus in a tropical environment.

Leucocyte counts were made on B. indicus crossbred and B. taurus calves aged 1-6 days. Calves were born in three adjacent paddocks in a tropical environment. Variations in the absolute counts of leucocyte components between animals were large and there were significant breed and age differences in lymphocyte counts. The proportions of lymphocytes increased (P<O'OI) and neutrophils decreased (P<0'05) with age. Total leucocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly higher (P< 0'001) in calves of all breeds in one paddock than in the other two.