Description
White blood cells, also called leukocytes, exist in the blood, the lymphatic system, and tissues and are an important part of the body`s defense system. They help protect against infections and also have a role in inflammation, and allergic reactions. The white blood cell (WBC) count totals the number of white blood cells in a sample of your blood.
There are five types of WBCs, neutrophils,eosinophils,basophils,lymphocytes and monocytes.When there is an infection or an inflammatory process somewhere in the body, the bone marrow produces more WBCs, releasing them into the blood, and through a complex process, they move to the site of infection or inflammation. A differential may provide information on which type of WBC may be low or high, and a blood smear may show the presence of abnormal and/or immature WBCs.
White Blood Cell Count (WBC) and Differential - A screening test for various disease states to include leukemia and inflammatory processes. A white blood cell (WBC) count measures the number of white blood cells in your blood, and a WBC differential determines the percentage of each type of white blood cell present in your blood. A differential can also detect immature white blood cells and abnormalities, both of which are signs of potential issues.
