Leukocytopenia

Leukopenia (from Greek λευκός (leukos), meaning 'white', and πενία (penia), meaning 'deficiency') is a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Found in the blood, they are the white blood cells, and are the body's primary defense against infection. Thus leukopenia places individuals at increased risk of infection. peripheral: Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency Leukopenia (from Greek λευκός (leukos), meaning 'white', and πενία (penia), meaning 'deficiency') is a decrease in the number of leukocytes. Found in the blood, they are the white blood cells, and are the body's primary defense against infection. Thus leukopenia places individuals at increased risk of infection. Neutropenia, a subtype of leukopenia, refers to a decrease in the number of circulating neutrophil granulocytes, the most abundant white blood cells. The terms leukopenia and neutropenia may occasionally be used interchangeably, as the neutrophil count is the most important indicator of infection risk. This should not be confused with agranulocytosis. Low white cell count may be due to acute viral infections, such as a cold or influenza. It has been associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, myelofibrosis, aplastic anemia (failure of white cell, red cell and platelet production), stem cell transplant, bone marrow transplant, HIV, AIDS, and steroid use. Other causes of low white blood cell count include systemic lupus erythematosus, Hodgkin's lymphoma, some types of cancer, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, rickettsial infections, enlargement of the spleen, folate deficiencies, psittacosis, sepsis, Sjögren's syndrome and Lyme disease. It has also been shown to be caused by deficiency in certain minerals, such as copper and zinc.