Differential blood count

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The differential blood count or blood counts , including differential cell picture is a routine investigation in medical diagnostic laboratory, the (cellular composition of the different differents ) white blood cells ( leukocytes indicating) the blood or pleural fluid. Together with the “small blood count ” it results in the “large blood count”. The percentage of the individual blood cell types is determined by microscopic counting (hand differential blood count) of a blood smear or with the aid of automated counting devices such as the Coulter counter (automatic differential blood count). The microscopic count is more complex and quantitatively less precise, but is often essential for a final qualitative assessment.

The white cells of normal blood include granulocytes ( neutrophils , eosinophils , basophils ), lymphocytes, and monocytes . The differential blood count supplements the small blood count and plays an important role in the diagnosis of blood diseases as well as infections and inflammations. The determination of the differential blood count is necessary, among other things, to clarify leukopenia or leukocytosis ; Even with leukemia , the differential blood count can provide crucial information. Under certain circumstances, the precursor cells ( blasts ) of the white blood cells can be detected , whereas a leucoerythroblastic blood count increases the number of precursors of the white and red blood cells.

Normal values ​​in humans

Cell type Share of total leukocyte count (%) Abs. Number / µl
Neutrophils with rod nuclei 3-5 150-400
Segmented neutrophilic granulocytes 54-62 3000-5800
Eosinophils 1-3 50-250
Basophil granulocytes 0-1 15-50
Lymphocytes 25-33 1500-3000
Monocytes 3-7 280-500
all leukocytes (in adults) 100 4,000-10,000

literature

  • Theml H , Diem H, Haferlach T. Pocket atlas of hematology: Morphological and clinical diagnostics for practice . 5th, completely revised. Stuttgart, New York: Thieme, 2002, ISBN 3-13-631605-3 .
  • SI Unit Conversion Guide. N Engl J Med Books. Boston 1992, ISBN 0-910133-38-7 .

See also