Light micrograph of a blood smear from a patient with leukopenia. Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) found in the blood. It places individuals at increased risk of infection. Low white cell count may be due to acute viral infections, such as a cold or influenza. It has been associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, myelofibrosis, aplastic anemia, stem cell transplant, bone marrow transplant, HIV, AIDS, and steroid use. Other causes of low white blood cell count include systemic lupus erythematosus, Hodgkin's lymphoma, some types of cancer, typhoid, malaria, tuberculosis, dengue, rickettsial infections, enlargement of the spleen, folate deficiencies, psittacosis, sepsis, Sjogren's syndrome and Lyme disease. Magnification: x700 when printed at 10 centimetres wide. |