What is the reason for low neutrophil count

One of the items in the routine blood test is about the neutrophil count, and its level has a certain relationship with our health. If the neutrophil value is not within the normal range, it means that our body is being invaded by certain bacteria and we must pay attention to it. When the number of white blood cells in a person's body is less than normal or too low, it means that the person is suffering from neutropenia. The normal neutrophil count is above 1.5×109/L. If you find that the value is lower than this number when you read the report yourself, you must seek medical treatment. So, what is the cause of low neutrophil count? Let’s find out below.

1. Reasons for low neutrophil count :

1. Gram-negative bacillus infection, such as typhoid and paratyphoid.

2. Certain viral infections, such as influenza virus.

3. Chronic physical and chemical damage, long-term exposure to lead, mercury, benzene, etc.; certain drugs such as chloramphenicol and synnomycin; patients who have received long-term radiation and chemotherapy.

4. Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

5. Blood diseases such as aplastic anemia (AA).

6. Hypersplenism and hyperthyroidism.

7. Certain parasitic diseases such as malaria and kala-azar.

2. The hazards of low neutrophil count:

Low neutrophil count can lead to bone marrow dysplasia, bone marrow invasion (leukoplastic proliferation of oligodendrocytes, partial myeloblastic leukemia), viral infection, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, certain parasitic diseases (malaria, kala-azar), hyperthyroidism, hypersplenism, Waldenstrom's disease, multiple myeloma, Felty's syndrome, anemia (iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency), radiation (such as: localized therapy), agranulocytosis (poisoning: pilamidol, phenothiazines, phenylbutazone, antithyroid drugs, etc.; immune-immunoallergic diseases; systemic diseases).

3. What should I do if my neutrophil count is low?

Generally speaking, neutrophils originate from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow, differentiate and develop in the bone marrow, and then enter the blood or tissues. The distribution ratio in bone marrow, blood and connective tissue is 28:1:25. The number of neutrophils in adult blood accounts for about 55% to 70% of the total white blood cells. Neutrophils are a type of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Since their number is the largest among granulocytes, some people refer to polymorphonuclear leukocytes as neutrophils.

The cells contain many diffusely distributed tiny light red or light purple unique granules, which contain myeloperoxidase, acid phosphatase, phagocytosis, lysozyme, etc. Myeloperoxidase is unique to neutrophils and is present in very low or no amounts even in macrophages, which have a strong phagocytic ability. In cytochemistry, myeloperoxidase is generally used as a marker for neutrophils.

Neutrophils have a strong chemotactic effect. Chemotaxis is the movement of cells toward the direction stimulated by a chemical substance. Substances that have a chemotactic effect on neutrophils are called neutrophil chemotactic factors. There are chemokine receptors on the cell membrane of neutrophils. The receptors bind to chemokines, activating the calcium pump on the cell membrane. The cell extends its lamellae forward, causing the cell to move toward the site where the chemokine is produced.

After reading the above introduction, now you know what low neutrophil count means. If the neutrophil percentage is found to be low during the physical examination, the cause should be found out as soon as possible and treatment should be started early.