What does lymphocytosis describe?

• A. Decreased Lymphocytes
• B. Increased Lymphocyte Count
• C. Normal Lymphocytes
• D. Increased Neutrophils

Answer: (B)

Lymphocytosis describes an increased number of lymphocytes in the blood. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in immune responses, especially against viruses. When the lymphocyte count rises above the normal range for the species, we refer to that as lymphocytosis. This can occur with viral infections, certain chronic infections, or some hematologic conditions like chronic lymphocytic processes in which lymphocytes proliferate. The other states describe different scenarios: a decrease in lymphocytes is lymphopenia, a normal lymphocyte count is simply no change, and an increased neutrophil count points to neutrophilia, which is more commonly seen with bacterial infections or acute inflammation. In short, lymphocytosis = more lymphocytes.