Monocytes are elevated - an alarm signal

Monocytes, specific blood cells, are sometimes called tissue macrophages or phagocytic mononuclear cells. Their purpose, regardless of the name, is the cleansing of the body from dead cells, neutralization of antigens and bacteria, counteracting the cytotoxic nature of tumor cells. Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow, immediately after the onset, they enter the peripheral bloodstream, where their circulation lasts 3-4 days. Then they penetrate into the tissues and there they acquire the properties of tissue macrophages. Monocytes elevated testify to inflammatory processes in the body.

Monocytes-macrophages

The main purpose of monocyte-macrophages is phagocytosis with the absorption of foreign particles trapped in the body. Cells receive energy by aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis, which allows them to function in areas of pathological disorders of the body. Since they are a kind of leukocytes, they participate in the process of protecting the body together with other cells of the leukocyte group: basophils, lymphocytes and neutrophils. In the case of acute local inflammation in the body, the level of monocytes rises.

Monocytosis

Monocytes, raised to 8-9%, do not cause concern. If their percentage becomes more than 10%, then this indicates the onset of monocytosis. The nature of monocytosis is ambiguous, it can take place in a relative form, with a slight excess of the norm of content in the body, but it can become absolute when the level exceeds 10%. As a rule, absolute monocytosis is accompanied by a decrease in the level of other leukocytes. This pattern is observed in the case of lymphocytopenia and neutropenia and is characteristic of adults.

Monocytes warn

Elevated monocytes are the reason for finding a hotbed of inflammation or some disease, more often infectious. It is necessary to make a complete blood test. In some cases, women are tested for pregnancy. Elevated levels of monocytes in the blood can occur with the following diseases: viral or fungal infections, rickettsial and protozoal, infective endocarditis. From diseases of the circulatory system, myeloblastic leukemia, monocytic myeloid leukemia is possible. From granulomatous diseases - enteritis and ulcerative colitis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, syphilis.

Children's monocytosis

Monocytes raised in the child's organism perform approximately the same role as in adults, but children's monocytosis is somewhat different in its indicators. An increase in the level of monocyte-macrophages in a child occurs with any inflammation, but also passes quickly if the correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate treatment is performed. Their normal blood content in a child depends on the age: in a newborn from 3 to 12%, up to two weeks 5-15%, from 2 weeks to 1 year 4-10%, from 1 year to 2 years 3-10% From 2 to 5 years 3-9%, from 6 to 16 years 3-9%, after 16 years 3-9%. Increased number of monocytes In the blood of the child can cause infectious diseases, children's rheumatoid arthritis, polyarthritis nodular.