Leukemoid reaction

The term leukemoid reaction describes an elevated white blood cellcount, or leukocytosis, that is a physiologic response to stress or infection (as opposed to a primary blood malignancy, such as leukemia). Although generally a diagnosis of exclusion, some features (such as leukocyte alkaline phosphatase score) can distinguish leukemoid reactions from leukemia or other malignancy.

Causes of leukemoid reactions are:

• Hemorrhage
• Drugs
  • Use of glucocorticoids
  • Use of G-CSFor related growth factors
  • All-trans retinoic acid(ATRA)
• Infections (e.g. tuberculosis, pertussis)
• As a paraneoplastic phenomenon(rare)

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukemoid+reaction Wikipedia article Leukemoid reaction.