What can cause atypical lymphocytes?

A large number of atypical lymphocytes are often found in viral infections like mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infections and hepatitis B. Toxoplasmosis, certain bacterial infections, medications, stress and autoimmune diseases can also be accompanied by a larger number of atypical lymphocytes.

What do atypical lymphocytes indicate?

They vary in morphologic detail as well as surface marker characteristics, indicating that they comprise a heterogeneous mixture of cell types. These data suggest that atypical lymphocytes may represent a polyclonal immune response to antigenic stimulation.

Is it normal to have atypical lymphocytes?

The atypical lymphocyte is a normal constituent of the human peripheral blood. In normal man 12 per cent or less (mean 7.5 per cent) of the mononuclear cells are atypical lymphocytes. In what is defined as probable atypical lymphocytosis 13 to 19 per cent of the mononuclear cells are atypical lymphocytes.

What infections cause low lymphocytes?

Causes of Low Lymphocyte Count

• Blood diseases like Hodgkin’s disease.
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus.
• Infectious diseases like tuberculosis, AIDS, and viral hepatitis.
• Radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
• Steroid therapy.

What is the difference between atypical and reactive lymphocytes?

Reactive, or atypical, lymphocytes are relatively fragile cells, and as a result can be squeezed out of shape by surrounding cells, giving them a scalloped appearance instead of a smooth cytoplasmic edge. The nucleus of the reactive lymphocyte is larger than that of the small lymphocyte, and is more irregular in shape.

Does EBV cause atypical lymphocytes?

During acute EBV disease, the number of lymphocytes increases to 50–60\% of the total leukocytes in the peripheral blood (a count of 20,000–50,000/ml), of which 10\% are atypical lymphocytes (95\% are T lymphocytes, 5\% are B lymphocytes), or Downey cells.

What cancers cause low lymphocytes?

Cancer — especially blood or lymphatic cancers like lymphoma (such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma), Kaposi sarcoma, and leukemia — can result in low lymphocyte levels.

Can stress cause reactive lymphocytes?

Reactive lymphocytes are usually associated with viral illnesses, but they can also be present as a result of drug reactions (such as phenytoin), immunizations, radiation, and hormonal causes (such as stress and Addison’s disease), as well as some autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

What causes atypical lymphocytosis?

Atypical lymphocytosis is most commonly attributed to viral and bacterial illnesses. It can also be a result of some types of autoimmune disorders. Immunizations, drug reactions, and radiation or chemotherapy treatments can also cause elevated lymphocytes to become atypical.

How do you test for atypical lymphocytosis?

Atypical Lymphocytosis: Causes & Treatment. To determine the presence of atypical lymphocytosis, doctors perform standard blood tests. The lymphocyte count in the sample should be elevated. Once the increase is discovered, a peripheral blood smear is performed. A drop of blood is smeared onto a glass slide.

What are reactive lymphocytes and what causes them?

Reactive lymphocytes or atypical lymphocytes are associated with viral or bacterial infections. However they may also be associated with other conditions include auto-immune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the common causes for atypical lymphocyte include,

What is the color of atypical lymphocytes?

Atypical or reactive lymphocytes can develop in the body in a variety of colors, such as pale blue, simple gray, or deep blue. What are the main causes of atypical lymphocytes?