fullcortex.net

( 1998 )

-What is lymphoctyosis?-
There are several types of white blood cells (leukocytes). They include lymphocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils. All are produced by your bone marrow. Lymphocytosis refers to an increase in the percentage of lymphoctes among the white cells in your bloodstream.
Your white blood cells are a major part of your body’s defense mechanism against infection. Each type of white blood cell serves a different function. Some ingest and destroy bacteria. Others help prevent some parasitic diseases. Lymphocytes make a major contribution to the immune system. There are two types of lymphocytes — B cell and T cell — depending on the cells of their origin.
Lymphocytosis is most common in response to an infection (either viral or bacterial) such as infectious mononucleosis (“mono”) and pertussis (whooping cough). An increase in the percentage of lymphocytes also may result from a decrease in the number of other white cells, such as neutrophils. This is called relative lymphocytosis, as the absolute number of lymphocytes is not increased. A marked increase in the number of lymphoctyes occurs in lymphocytic leukemia.