The lymphocytes belong to the white blood cells. They ensure that exogenous pathogens (such as bacteria) are fended off and sick and degenerated cells are destroyed.
A distinction is made between two main forms of “lymphos”: the B-lymphocytes (with their sub-form, the plasma cells) and the T-lymphocytes. The former produce antibodies against a pathogen, for example. The T lymphocytes can attack foreign cells directly and organize the defense against Pathogens.
The lymphocytes are part of the immune system. They are made in the spleen, bone marrow, thymus gland, and lymph nodes. There they “learn” their actual task – to recognize pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. The specialized plasma cells form the antibodies, while other B cells, in turn, can pass on their knowledge to the next generation by dividing them. The lymphocytes provide as “Memory cells“to ensure that the organism can build up an immunity against certain diseases and pathogens.
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White blood cells in the blood: This means high and low values
When and how is the lymphocyte count determined?
In the event of inflammation and infection, the body’s defense mechanism is set in motion. The number of white blood cells and thus also the lymphocytes in the blood then often increases rapidly. Other diseases lower the number of white blood cells. In the case of severe infections, suspected autoimmune diseases and disorders of blood formation, the lymphocyte value is therefore also determined.
This is done using the Differential blood count. A common method is to smear a drop of blood on a glass slide and count it under the microscope. This enables the distribution of lymphocytes, the ratio to total leukocytes and other blood components such as erythrocytes and platelets to be determined.
Normal lymphocyte counts
The normal range for lymphocytes is between 1,500 and 4,000 cells per microliter of blood. Often the value is also given in relation to the total number of white blood cells. This relative value is usually 20 to 50 percent.
Causes of increased lymphocyte counts
Especially in viral and bacterial diseases the lymphocyte count is increased (lymphocytosis). These include, for example:
The lymphocyte count can also be increased in the case of leukemia, lymphoma, adrenal disease and chronic inflammation.
Causes of low lymphocyte counts
If the lymphocyte count is too low, this is called medically lymphopenia. In cancer patients, radiation therapy can reduce the number of lymphocytes, and certain medications (cortisone, cytostatics) can also lower the number of lymphocytes below the normal level.
In addition, autoimmune diseases, cancers (for example in chronic and acute lymphatic leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma), multiple sclerosis, celiac disease and protein malnutrition have a downward effect on the value of lymphos. In AIDS, certain lymphocytes are destroyed, which also leads to a drop in the blood count.
Blood count: important values and what they mean
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