leukopenia

Last reviewed 01/2018

Leukopenia is a decrease in the number of white blood cells circulating within blood. Common causes include:

  • typhoid fever
  • viral infection
  • rickettsial infection
  • chronic or fulminant infection
  • after measures designed to obliterate leukocyte population e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy

It can be subdivided according to the white cell population that is (most) affected:

  • neutropenia
  • lymphopenia
  • eosinopenia
  • monocytopenia