White blood cell

Total leucocytes count procedure (TLC)

Sample

1. EDTA blood is needed.
2. Oxalate or citrated blood can also be used.

Purpose of the test (Indications) for Total leucocytes count

1. To differentiate between acute and chronic infection.
2. To follow the patient with chemotherapy.
3. To find the effect of drugs.

Principle of white cell count (total leucocytes count)

Blood is diluted with a solution (acetic acid) that causes the lysis of RBCs. Acetic acid has no effect on the WBCs. Gentian violet is added to differentiate the WBCs.

Pathophysiology of Total leucocytes count TLC)

1. White blood cells develop from the stem cells in the bone marrow.
2. Stem cells differentiate into:
   1. Granulocytic series cells. The granulocytes got the name due to the presence of distinct granules in the cytoplasm of these cells.
      1. The life span of leucocytes varies from 13 to 20 days; after that, these cells are destroyed in the lymphatic system and may be excreted from the body in feces.
      2. Leucocytes fight infections and defend the body by a process called phagocytosis.
      3. WBC serves as an excellent indicator of the various disease process.
   2. Non-Granulocytic cells.
   3. The granulocytic series consists of:
      1. polymorphonuclear leucocytes (Neutrophils).
      2. Eosinophils.
      3. Basophils.
      4. Monocytes.
         

         Development of white blood cells

White blood cells are divided into:

1. Phagocytic cells:
   1. Polys.
   2. Eosinophils.
   3. Basophils.
   4. Monocytes.
2. Immunocytic cells:
   1. B- lymphocytes.
   2. T-lymphocytes are:
      1. T-helper cells (CD4⁺)
      2. T-cytotoxic cells (CD⁺)
      3. T-effector cells (CD4⁺)

Preparation of Total leucocytes count (TLC) solution:

1. Principle of the TLC method:
   1. Blood is diluted with a fluid that causes the RBCs’ hemolysis, but WBCs remain intact, and then these are counted in the Neubauer chamber.
   2. Gentian violet lightly stains the leucocytes and allows those to be counted.
2. Chemicals (Reagents) needed are:
   1. Glacial acetic acid = 2 ml.
   2. Gentian violet (1%) = 1 ml.
   3. Distal water = 97 ml.
   4. This is basically a 2% solution of acetic acid.
      1. Add 2 ml of glacial acid (2 + 1), 1 mL gentian violet (1 %), and add  97 ml of distle Water to make up to 100 ml solution.
      2. Gentian violet is added until the color is pale blue-violet.
3. Total leucocyte count or WBC pipette:
   1. This pipette (also called Thoma pipette) long stem is divided into two parts:
      1. The long stem is marked with 0.5 and 1.0
      2. While the short arm after the bulb is marked 11.
      3. Its central portion is a bulb or a globular shape with one white bead in it.
      4. Rubber tubing is attached to suck the blood.
      5. Ultimately the dilution of the blood to the TLC fluid is 1:20.
         

         WBC pipette

Total leucocytes count Procedure:

1. Take the TLC pipette, which has a white bead inside.
2. Total leucocytes count (WBC) pipette method:
3. Fill the blood into the 0.5 marks and then add the TLC solution.
   1. Fill the pipette with the TLC solution to point 11.
   2. Remove the rubber tubing.
   3. Seal both ends or hold in between two fingers.
   4. OR can put this pipette on the mechanical device to shake it.
   5. Shake for 1 minute or preferably for 2 minutes.
   6. Shaking is important before filling the Neubauer chamber.
   7. After thorough mixing, discard the first few drops and then gently fill the chamber until the platform is filled.
   8. The capillary action will draw the fluid.
   9. Allow the chamber on the microscope stage for 2 to 3 minutes till the cells are settled.
4. Tube method:
   1. Take 0.02 mL blood and mix it with diluting fluid.
   2. Take TLC dilution fluid 0.38 mL in a small tube and mix it with the blood. (1:20 dilution).
   3. Mix them very well.
   4. The dilution will be the same.
   5. This tube method is more accurate than the Thoma pipette technique.
      

      white blood cell – WBC count tube method

5. In case of low WBC count, fill the pipette to mark 1, and this will give dilution of 1:10, OR
   1. Take 0.1 mL blood and 0.9 mL diluent solution (1:10 dilution).
   2. In the case of a high WBC count, then make higher dilution.
      

      Neubauer chamber

Total leucocyte count Calculations:

1. Count the cells in the Neubauer chamber. These are counted in the four large corner squares labeled as WBC and if the number is Y.
   1. One large area is 1 x 1  mm, and the depth is 0.1 mm.
   2. Total area counted in 4 large squares = 4 x 1 x o.1 = 0.4 µL (4/10).
   3. Y x 10/4 is the total WBC in the cell in 1 µL.
   4. Now dilution is 1:20.
   5. Number of WBC in 1µL = Y x 10 x 20/4 = Y x 50 = Total WBC count.
   6. Total TLC = counted cells (Y) x 50 =  TLC/cmm.
2. If the count is low <4000/cmm, then use the dilution of 1:10.
3. The Source of errors are:
   1. If there are microclots in the sample.
   2. If inadequate mixing is done.
   3. Improper filling of the chamber.
   4. If the dilutions are improper.
   5. Mistakes in the calculations.

Normal values of total leucocytes are:

Source 2

• Adult /child = 5000 to 10,000 /cmm
• Child ≤2 years = 6200 to 17000 /cmm.
• Newborn = 9000 to 30,000 /cmm

Other sources

1. At birth            = 10,000 to 25,000/cmm
2. Infants             = 8000 to 15,000/cmm
3. Adults               = 4000 to 10,000/cmm
4. Pregnant ladies =  12,000 to 15,000/cmm

Increased TLC (Leucocytosis) is seen in:

1. Mostly in the case of infections that may be bacterial or viral.
   1. Localized infections are:
      1. Meningitis.
      2. Pneumonia.
      3. Abscess.
      4. Tonsillitis.
   2. Generalized infections:
      1. Septicemia.
      2. Acute rheumatic fever.
      3. Cholera.
2. In the case of leukemias.
3. After the strenuous exercise.
4. Pain and anorexia.
5. Epileptic seizures.
6. Emotional reaction.
7. Mild leucocytosis in pregnancy.
8. Acute hemorrhage.
9. Intoxications like:
   1. Poisoning by drugs, chemicals, and venoms (black widow spider).
   2. Metabolic diseases uremia, acidosis, eclampsia, and acute gout.
   3. Parenteral proteins and vaccines.
10. Acute hemolysis of red blood cells.
11. Myeloproliferative diseases.
12. Tissue necrosis:
    1. Burns.
    2. Gangrene.
    3. Necrosis of the tumor.
    4. Acute myocardial infarction.
    5. Necrosis due to bacteria.
13. Physiologic conditions are:
    1. Emotional stress.
    2. Excercise.
    3. Obstetrical labor.
    4. Menstruation.

Decreased leucocytosis (neutropenia) is seen in:

1. This may be seen in fever, malaise, and chills.
2. Bacterial Infections.
   1. Bacterial.
   2. Septicemia.
   3. Miliary tuberculosis.
   4. Typhoid fever.
   5. Paratyphoid fever.
   6. Tularemia.
   7. Brucellosis.
3. Viral infections are:
   1. Hepatitis.
   2. Influenza.
   3. Infectious mononucleosis.
   4. Psittacosis.
   5. Rubella.
   6. Measles.
4. Hematological diseases:
   1. Aleukemic leukemia.
   2. Pernicious anemia.
   3. Gaucher’s disease.
   4. Felty’s syndrome.
   5. Aplastic anemia.
5. Deficiency of vitamin B12.
6. Drugs and chemicals:
   1. Antibiotics.
   2. Analgesics.
   3. Sulphonamides.
   4. Antithyroid drugs.
   5. Arsenicals.
   6. Marrow depressant.
7. Malignant infiltration of the bone marrow.
8. Bone marrow aplasia.
9. Bone marrow depression by radiations.
10. Autoimmune diseases like SLE.

• Critical value = <2500  or >30,000 /cmm ( These are panic value).
• Please see for more details in complete blood count (CBC) part 1.

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