Leucopenia means a decreased total number of white blood cells in the circulating blood. The normal total white cell count is between 5000 to 10000 per cubic milli meter. When the total white cell count drops below 4000 per cubic millimeter in the blood, the person is said to be suffering from leucopenia.
What are the causes of Leucopenia ?
Infections, such as influenza, typhus, typhoid, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis or sepsis.
Diseases of the bone marrow.
Enlargement of spleen (spleenomegaly).
Radiation.
Drugs/ Chemicals and solvents - Drugs like Azathioprine are given in transplant patients can cause Leucopenia. Many of the drugs which are used to treat cancer may cause Leucopenia too.
Hypersensitivity to several commonly used medications.
Nutritional - vitaminB12, folate deficiencies Autoimmune diseases (where defense mechanisms of the body acts against its own self rather than a foreign substance).
What are the symptoms of Leucopenia ?
Initially there may be no symptoms, until the body is prone to infection and thereby affecting different organs.
High fever above 100 degree F
Sore throat
Skin rash
Infections
Sores on body, mouth, around the rectum and vagina
How can we diagnose Leucopenia ?
A complete blood cell count is usually sufficient to confirm the disease. This apart a routine investigating done on a patient suffering from one of the causes listed above may lead to the diagnosis of leucopenia.
How can Leucopenia be treated ?
After obtaining blood and other appropriate cultures, antibiotics are prescribed.
Prolonged leucopenia may cause disseminated fungal infections. This needs anti fungal chemotherapy.
The most important part of treatment is to remove the cause.
The patient should remain active but should avoid infection by staying away from people with infections and avoid crowds.
No diet restrictions- extra fruits and adequate fluid intake advised to avoid constipation.
Mouth should be clean and rinsed with warm salt water. Soft brushing is advised.
Frequently asked questions about Leucopenia
If I have Leucopenia which specialist should I see ?
You should see a general practitioner, However if Leucopenia is recurrent see a Haematologist.
Should I visit a doctor regularly once it is detected that I have leucopenia ?
Yes. Frequent visits are advised till the blood count returns to normal.
Will I be more prone to fungal infections, if I have leucopenia ?
Yes. That’s because of decreased white blood cells, which have the ability to fight diseases. So the patient is more prone to fungal infections and other opportunistic infections.
Apart from blood culture is there any other way to isolate infection in such patients ?
Yes. Throat swabs, sputum, urine, and culture from any suspicious site can be useful.
Glossary
Spleenomegaly - Enlargement of spleen.
Idiopathic - Cause not known.
Swabs - Ear bud like sticks but slightly larger in size.
