How do the leukocytes ( antibodies) react in tonsillitis?
The technical synonym for tonsillitis is tonsillitis. The inflammatory process mainly affects the tonsils. Doctors use the technical term Tonsilla Palatina for this. The disease is contagious via droplet infection. The streptococci are usually the causative agent. If they attack the organism, the body’s own antibodies are activated.
In the bone marrow, more progenitor cells for the white blood cells are formed, so that their concentration in the blood increases.
This means that the values of the leukocytes are increased in tonsillitis. The white blood cells identify and destroy the bacteria. The immune system thus ensures that the disease progresses easily.
Leukocytes in tonsillitis – the summary
If streptococci get into the human organism, the bacteria trigger various diseases . For example, an infection is accompanied by inflammation of the tonsils. The leukocytes in tonsillitis primarily play a role in the complete blood count . The doctor takes a blood sample from the patient, which is analyzed in the laboratory. The number of white blood cells provides information about the type of infection.
As the bacteria enter the body, the number of white blood cells increases. Their value rises above the normal range, so that the patients have leukocytosis . If the disease progresses severely, later leukocyte deficiency may occur. The reason is that the organism does not manage permanent overproduction.
What happens with tonsillitis?
In 95 percent of cases, acute tonsillitis results from a viral infection. This is confirmed by a publication from 2015. It is entitled “Therapy of inflammatory diseases of the tonsils – tonsillitis”. Although the main causes of tonsillitis are viruses, there is a possibility that tonsillitis results from a bacterial infection. The typical bacterial triggers include the streptococci from Lancefield group A. Staphylococci are also possible pathogens.
The majority of germs belong to the resident oral flora. This means they are already in the patient’s mouth. As a rule, other serotypes of the bacteria enter the organism in the case of tonsillitis. This has no immunity to the antigens. This leads to the onset of the disease. This happens in particular when those affected suffer from a weakened body defense system. Tonsillitis is accompanied by characteristic symptoms. These include:
- a narrowing of the pharynx,
- bad breath,
- difficulties swallowing
- and a bitter aftertaste.
If patients notice the signs of illness, they consult their family doctor. To identify the infection, he takes a blood sample from the patient. The blood test provides information about the number of white blood cells. If the leukocytes multiply in tonsillitis, the suspicion of a bacterial infection is obvious. In contrast, a viral infection leads to a timely reduction in leucocytes in tonsillitis.
Leukocytosis in the course of tonsillitis
In the case of bacterial tonsillitis, the white blood cells multiply so that their value is above the normal limit. It is between 4.4 and 11.3 thousand leukocytes per microliter of blood. The values apply to adults. If the concentration of white blood cells rises above 11,000 per microliter of blood, it is a case of mild leukocytosis. In some cases, there is no change in the leukocyte count during tonsillitis. If there are no other signs of illness, the doctors speak of a “silent” or symptom-free infection.
Especially in acute tonsillitis caused by bacteria, there is a rapid increase in white blood cells. The organism produces numerous leukocytes to strengthen the body’s immune system. The aim is to destroy the pathogens in a timely manner. Two to three days after the onset of the first symptoms, the leukocyte count drops. This happens because the body cannot keep up the constant overproduction of white blood cells. For this reason, leukopenia develops from leukocytosis .
This means that the leukocytes in tonsillitis fall below their normal value. In this case, there are fewer than 4,000 white blood cells in one microliter of blood. If the leukocytes decrease rapidly in tonsillitis, doctors diagnose viral tonsillitis. Here, the concentration of leukocytes decreases within a few hours. As a result, the tonsillitis caused by viruses is accompanied by a timely leukopenia.
Low leukocytes in tonsillitis
If the course of tonsillitis is unfavorable, the number of white blood cells drops to 2,500 per microliter of blood. In this case, doctors speak of severe leucopenia. There are further health complications associated with the disease. This includes, for example, a purulent coating on the tonsils. After the disease subsides, the leukocyte count returns to normal. If this remains permanently elevated, this indicates chronic inflammation of the tonsils. This means the tonsillitis remains as a latent infection.
Why do the antibodies multiply?
In the case of viral and bacterial infections, there is initially a significant increase in the leukocyte concentration. This is done to ensure better immune defenses. If the leukocytes are increased in tonsillitis, the organism is fighting the pathogens. Due to the increase in white blood cells, their individual subgroups multiply at the same time. They exist as granulocytes , monocytes and lymphocytes.
Here, the lymphocytes identify the pathogens, while the granulocytes act as scavenger cells . This means they absorb and break down the antigens. In the best case, the body’s own immune system ensures that the patients survive the tonsillitis without drug treatment. If the disease does not go away on its own, the general practitioner will prescribe antibiotics for those affected, provided the infection is bacterial. Antiviral preparations help against viral pathogens. A rapid streptococcal test is useful to identify the type of pathogen.
Accordingly, the clinical picture decides on the therapy of tonsillitis. On average, people who suffer from immunosuppression develop infections more frequently. The reason is the weak immune system, which allows several pathogens access to the organism. This phenomenon can result in chronic tonsillitis from acute under certain circumstances. It can get worse with any weakness of the immune system and leads to subsequent infections. Doctors treat chronic tonsillitis by removing the tonsils from the affected patient.
further:
http://www.awmf.org/uploads/tx_szleitlinien/017-024l_S2k_Tonsillitis_Gaumenmandeln_2015-08_01.pdf
