Blood Differential
Alternate Names : White Blood Cell Differential Count, Differential
What do the test results mean?
There are different types and amounts of white blood cells. The different white blood cells play different roles. The cells are found in the blood at normal, healthy levels. Some destroy foreign cells and organisms. Some make antibodies that attack cells that are infected with a virus. Some destroy unwanted cells and organisms. Some help improve the permeability of capillaries.
The different types of white blood cells include neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
A higher percentage of neutrophils may indicate acute infection, eclampsia, gout, myeloid leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acute stress, thyroiditis or trauma.
A lower percentage of neutrophils may indicate aplastic anemia, bacterial infection, chemotherapy, influenza or radiation therapy.
An increased percentage of lymphocytes may indicate chronic bacterial infection, infectious hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, viral infection or recovery from a bacterial infection.
A percentage of lymphocytes lower than normal may indicate chemotherapy, HIV infection, leukemia, radiation therapy or sepsis.
A higher percentage of monocytes may indicate chronic inflammatory disease, parasitic infection, tuberculosis or viral infection.
An increased percentage of eosinophils may indicate allergic reaction, parasitic infection or Hodgkin's disease.
A decreased percentage of basophils may mean acute allergic reaction.
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