A patient undergoing diagnostic tests are ordered to have a differential white blood cells and a complete? blood count. the results of the CBC shows leukocytosis. the results of differential white blood cell counts indicate neutrophils and monocytes 75-85% 15-18%. What is the significance of leukocytosis and how do you interpret the results of the count of neutrophils and monocytes?
The normal range is 50-70% granulocytes and monocytes normal about 5-8% in the peripheral smear. Without more information, these values are not specific, but does suggest and infectious processes in this patient. It could be viral or bacterial. What happens with the patient? The smear is a very small fraction of the information needed to establish a diagnosis.
Given what you put in your question, there is not much significance. While it is taught that granulocytosis is associated with bacterial infections, the positive predictive value of the finding, particularly if mild, is rather poor. In addition, the finding is also common in acute bacterial infections and not just a stress reaction, in which the pool of peripheral neutrophils on the vessel wall is pushed into the central circulation. And while your differential monocytes may be less than the published standard, it is likely that the absolute number of monocytes is not weak at all.
Posted on March 22, 2010.
