Monocytes are a type of large white blood cells, active phagocytic blood cells that are generated in the bone marrow. After 2-3 days after their release into the main bloodstream, monocytes are located in the tissues and turn into macrophages. The main function of monocytic macrophages is to absorb foreign agents - chemical compounds, proteins and individual cells. Thus, monocytes initiate a specific immune response to the invasion of foreign antigens. A significant expansion of antigens can provoke an increase in the level of monocytes, and in some cases their rapid growth.
The norm of the content of monocytes in the blood
The normal amount of monocytes in the blood is from 1 to 8 percent. Their percentage is determined when a general blood test is performed. Monocytes are lowered during the period of taking the drug "Prednisolone" and similar ones. The percentage of monocytes to other phagocytes is determined by the derivation of the leukocyte formula. Decreased monocytes usually cause an increaseleukocytes, with the homogeneity of phagocytes in most cases their relationship can be traced.
The phagocytic attitude of blood cells is determined by the clinical picture of the disease. In the process of treatment with the use of potent drugs, reduced monocytes can become activated and successfully fight foreign cells. The balance of the presence of leukocytes and monocytes in the blood increases the effectiveness of treatment.
Leukocytes decreased, monocytes increased
Pathological processes in the body, even the most insignificant, cause an increase in monocytes - monocytosis.
Relative monocytosis is usually accompanied by a noticeable decrease in blood leukocytes, this phenomenon is characteristic of neutropenia or lymphocytopenia. Decreased monocytes are usually not a cause for concern, while monocytosis is a sign of the following diseases:
- chronic monocytic or myelomonocytic leukemia;
- myeloblastic leukemia, acute monoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease;
- infective endocarditis, rickettsial and protozoal viral infection;
- lupus erythematosus, arthritis, polyarteritis;
- brucellosis, ulcerative colitis, enteritis, syphilis.
Low WBC
Reducing the level of white blood cells is called leukopenia. This disease can be caused by the following reasons:
- bone marrow does not produce enough white blood cells;
- destruction of white blood cells directly in blood vessels;
- stagnation of leukocytes with their possible retention in depot organs;
- neutralization of leukocytes in force majeure circumstances (as a result of collapse or shock).
Factors preventing the formation of leukocytes
Various anti-inflammatory drugs, such as "Butadion", "Amidopirine", "Analgin" and "Pirabutol" negatively affect the process of formation of leukocytes. Antibacterial drugs also contribute to the development of leukopenia: Levomycetin, Synthomycin, Sulfanilamide. Cytostatic methotrexates and cyclophosphamides significantly reduce the level of leukocytes in the blood.
The main function of tissue macrophages, monocytes, leukocytes and a number of others is the absorption of harmful particles that somehow appear in the body. This kind of blood purification occurs in the process of phagocytosis, in which the dominant role is assigned to monocytes as the largest phagocytic cells.
Monocytes also have a cytoscopic effect on cancer cells and malarial pathogens. The result of the analysis "reduced monocytes" means that there are fewer of them in the body than they should be, and therefore they are less effective, but their functions are preserved.
