Leukocyte Function: Learning Objectives
Medical Importance
Host defense depends on specialized blood cells that identify foreign micro-organisms/molecules and utilize oxidants, proteases, and other moieties to protect the host. A deficiency in number or qualitative function of leukocytes can lead to overwhelming infection. Excess activation of the leukocytes can lead to inflammatory tissue injury.Objectives
- Compare and contrast the morphology, cytoplasmic contents and functions of neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
- Describe the normal function of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and killing and digestion of foreign materials.
- Describe disorders of granulocytes, including congenital neutropenia and chronic granulomatous disease.
- Describe the causes, clinical features, and treatment principles of neutropenia.
- List the differential diagnosis for neutrophil leukocytosis and to define the phrase "left shift".
- Define the leukemoid reaction and list specific causes of this phenomenon.
- List the differential diagnosis for eosinophilia.
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