Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells found in the bone marrow that help in boosting the immune system of your body. Neutropenia is a condition in which abnormally low level of neurtrophils are present. There are 6 types of white blood cells (leucocytes) namely neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, monocytes, T- lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte.
Among these, neutrophils alone account for 40-75% of white blood cells which are released when there is infection in the body. Neutrophils are fast in reaching the site of infection and destroying the microorganism causing it. Neutrophils produce deadly enzyme for killing the bacteria thus protecting the body from infection.
During the condition of neutropenia there will be very low count of neutrophils making the body susceptible to infection. When the count of neutrophils gets lowered to 1700 per micro-liter of blood then the person is said to have neutropenia.
However the cell count may vary with respect to age. Three types of white blood cells namely (neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils) act together to produce antigens for destroying bacteria. Neutrophils and other type of leucocytes are produced in bone marrow and later sent into the bloodstream. Neutrophils live for 3-4 days in the body and when it dies new neutrophils are generated.
What Happens When Neutrophils Level Gets Lowered ?
When the total count of neutrophils becomes reduced, the body becomes prone to infection. However the intensity at which immunity is reduced depends on severity of neutropenia and the type of infection develops in the body. Neutropenic patients are likely to get skin infection from bacterial and fungal infections on gastrointestinal tract. Normally the infection develops on specific areas like GI tract, genitals and skin but in rare cases it may spread to lungs and other vital organs through blood.