What does it mean to have an increased number of blood monocytes?
Disease description:
Today I went to the hospital for a blood test, and the results showed an increased number of monocytes. What does it mean when blood monocytes are elevated?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
An increase in monocytes in the blood, commonly referred to as "monocytosis," can be caused by various factors, mainly involving infections, inflammation, and certain types of diseases. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell produced in the bone marrow. After entering the bloodstream, they can migrate into tissues throughout the body and differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells, participating in immune responses.
Monocytosis may result from multiple causes, primarily including the following categories:
1. Infectious factors: This is one of the most common causes, especially viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can lead to a significant increase in monocytes. Additionally, infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, leishmaniasis, during the recovery phase of acute infections, and active pulmonary tuberculosis may also cause monocytosis.
2. Hematologic disorders: Certain blood diseases, such as monocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, lymphoma, and malignant histiocytosis, can also present with monocytosis. These conditions are usually accompanied by abnormal changes in other blood components.
3. Medication-related factors: The use of certain medications may also lead to monocytosis; this should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
4. Physiological increase: In infants, children, and adolescents, an elevated monocyte count detected during blood tests generally does not require specific treatment.
Therefore, when monocytosis is identified, further investigations should be conducted to determine the underlying cause, followed by appropriate treatment.
