Guest guest Posted February 20, 2010 Report Share Posted February 20, 2010 Neutropenia Definition: This means you don't have enough neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell (WBC), in your blood. There are several kinds of WBCs and, using a microscope, it's possible to estimate the number of each type in your blood. Your immune system uses WBCs to fight infection and build immunity against infection and each type of WBC has its own strength. Neutrophils are phagocytes, which means they can actually engulf microbes and cellular debris and destroy them. In a way, they are microscopic garbage disposals that help get rid of bacteria. There are numerous causes of neutropenia. Though usually high levels of neutrophils are a marker for active bacterial infection, occasionally an unusually low number of neutrophils can also be a clue that doctors use to help diagnose disease. Neutropenia can also occur in the setting of immune disorders, bone marrow cancers, vitamin deficiencies, and can also be a potential adverse reaction from taking some medications (among other things). About 20% of people who take peginterferon for chronic hepatitis C will have this side effect. http://hepatitis.about.com/od/mno/g/Neutropenia.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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