Benefits of a CBC with differential
- Diagnose a medical problem
- Check if the body has an infection
- Tell how body fights infection
- Study how a disease affects the body
- Tell if a treatment is working
Source: Presented by: Amira Essam El-din Mady
Introduction
Blood cells have important jobs.
The body has 3 main types:
- Red blood cells( RBC) that carry oxygen through the body
- White blood cells(WBC) that fight infection and disease
- Platelets that help blood clots after injury
Complete blood count (CBC)
Also known as a hemogram or a full blood count (FBC).
The CBC is a basic screening test that provides valuable diagnostic information about the hematologic and other body systems, prognosis, response to treatment, and recovery.
The CBC indicates the counts of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, the concentration of hemoglobin, and the hematocrit (the volume percentage of red blood cells).
What a CBC test measures
- Red blood cells (RBCs) count: report the total number of RBCs.
- RBC indices: calculated values of size and Hb content of RBCs. It can provide information about the cause of a person’s anemia such as iron deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency.
- White blood cells (WBCs): report the numbers and types of white blood cells.
- Differential WBC count: identifies specific patterns of WBCs by percentage of each cell type. It can help to diagnose viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and blood disorders like leukemia.
What a CBC test measures
- Platelets: report the numbers and size of the platelets. Thrombocytes are necessary for clotting and control of bleeding. A normal platelet count in healthy people is 150,000 to 400,000/mm3.
- Mean platelet volume(MPV): index of platelet production
- Hemoglobin: Main component of RBCs and transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. A normal hemoglobin level is 12 g/dL.
- Hematocrit (HCT): Percentage of RBC’s mass compared to the total volume of the blood.
What a CBC test measures
- Mean corpuscular volume (MCV): The average size of red blood cells
- RBC distribution width (RDW): indicates degree variability and abnormal cell size.
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH)
- Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)
Normal values of CBC test (Hologram)
Tests of white blood cells( WBCs)
Tests of white blood cells( WBCs)
White blood cells (WBCs) count (leukocyte count)
Leukocytes fight infection and defend the body by phagocytosis, in which the leukocytes encapsulate foreign organisms and destroy them. Leukocytes also produce, transport, and distribute antibodies as part of the immune response. The normal white blood cell count is 5,000 to 10,000/mm3.
Tests of white blood cells( WBCs)
Differential WBC count (Diff Leukocyte Count)
The total count of circulating WBCs is differentiated according to the five types of leukocytes, each of which performs a specific function.
1. Neutrophils
2. Eosinophils
3. Basophils
4. Monocytes
5. Lymphocytes
Segmented Neutrophils (Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils, PMNs, Segs, Polys)
Neutrophils are the most common type of leukocytes in the body’s reaction to inflammation. The primary defense against microbial invasion. Normal findings: Absolute count: 3000 to 7000/mm3 or 3 to 7× 109 /L, Differential: 50% of total WBC count
Increased neutrophils
Acute, localized, and general bacterial infections
Fungal and some parasitic infections
Inflammation as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis and burns
Diabetes mellitus
Chemicals and drugs causing tissue destruction as lead and mercury
Acute hemorrhage and hemolytic anemia
Decreased neutrophils
Viral infections
Hematopoietic diseases such as iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia.
Autoimmune causes
Drug hypersensitivity
Eosinophils
These cells fight infection, inflammation, and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks. They also defend the body against parasites, bacteria, and fungi. Normal findings: Absolute count: 0 to 0.7×
Source: Presented by: Amira Essam El-din Mady
Acute hemorrhage and hemolytic anemia
Decreased neutrophils
Example sentence: Acute hemorrhage and hemolytic anemia can lead to decreased neutrophils.
Viral infections
Decreased neutrophils
Hematopoietic diseases such as iron deficiency anemia and aplastic anemia
Decreased neutrophils
Autoimmune causes
Decreased neutrophils
Drug hypersensitivity
Decreased neutrophils
Eosinophils
These cells fight infection, inflammation, and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks. They also defend the body against parasites, bacteria, and fungi.
Normal findings: Absolute count: 0 to 0.7× 10^9 /L, Differential: 0% to 3% of total WBC count
Increased eosinophils
Allergies, fever and asthma
Parasitic disease
Addison’s disease
Chronic skin disease
Immunodeficiency disorders
Poisons
Aspirin sensitivity and allergic drug reactions
Decreased eosinophils
Cushing’s syndrome
Use of certain drugs such as ACTH, epinephrine and prostaglandin
Acute bacterial infection
Basophils
These cells affect allergic reactions, protection against parasites, and the immune response to some cancers.
Normal findings: Absolute count: 15 to 50/mm^3 or 0.02 to 0.05× 10^9 /L, Differential: 0% to 1% of total WBC count
Increased basophils
Granulocytic leukemia
Acute basophilic leukemia
Hodgkin’s disease
Decreased basophils
Acute phase of infection
Stress
Hyperthyroidism
After prolonged steroidal therapy, chemotherapy and radiation
Monocytes
These cells remove foreign material such as germs and dead cells. The body’s second line of defense against infection.
Normal findings: Absolute count: 100 to 500/mm^3 or 0.1to 0.5 × 10^9 /L, Differential: 3% to 7% of total WBC count
