A high monocyte count — also called monocytosis — is often associated with chronic or sub-acute infections. It can also be linked with some types of cancer, especially leukemia. A high monocyte count can occur when you are recovering from an acute infection.
What is the most common cause of monocytosis?
Common infections causing monocytosis include tuberculosis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, syphilis, protozoal or rickettsial disease. Common autoimmune diseases in the differential include SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
What causes an increase in absolute monocytes?
An infection by a bacteria, virus or fungus can cause an increase in monocyte levels. This is because the body creates more monocytes to fight the invader. An absolute monocytes high can also be a response to stress, chronic infections or autoimmune disorders.
What is the cause of monocytosis?
Persistent causes: A diverse group of subacute or chronic infections have been associated with monocytosis. These include syphilis [23], brucellosis [24], malaria [25], tuberculosis [26], visceral leishmaniasis [27], and rickettsial infection[28].
What cancers cause high monocytes?
Having too many monocytes is also the most common sign of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. This is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that produce blood in bone marrow.
Should I be worried if my monocytes are high?
Monocytes and other kinds of white blood cells are necessary to help the body fight disease and infection. Low levels can result from certain medical treatments or bone marrow problems, while high levels can indicate the presence of chronic infections or an autoimmune disease.
Is Monocytosis serious?
Monocytosis, and particularly a monocyte : lymphocyte ratio greater than 0.8–1.0, may indicate active progression of tuberculosis and an unfavourable prognosis. The normal ratio of 0.3 or less is restored when the healing process is complete.
How do you investigate Monocytosis?
5 APPROACH TO MONOCYTOSIS
- Confirm the presence of monocytosis by blood smear review. …
- Assess the absolute monocyte count. …
- Assess for other CBC abnormalities. …
- Examine a peripheral blood smear with particular attention given to: …
- Determine the duration of monocytosis and other blood cell abnormalities, if present.
What viral infections cause high monocytes?
An increased percentage of monocytes may be due to:
- Chronic inflammatory disease.
- Leukemia.
- Parasitic infection.
- Tuberculosis, or TB (bacterial infection that involves the lungs)
- Viral infection (for example, infectious mononucleosis, mumps, measles)
What autoimmune diseases cause high monocytes?
High monocyte levels may also be linked to: Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and IBD [12, 10, 11] Leukemias, such as chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia [31, 32] Cancer [33]
Why would your RDW be high?
High results If your RDW is too high, it could be an indication of a nutrient deficiency, such as a deficiency of iron, folate, or vitamin B-12. These results could also indicate macrocytic anemia, when your body doesn’t produce enough normal red blood cells, and the cells it does produce are larger than normal.
Can stress increase monocytes?
Our data reveal that acute stress increases monocyte levels, which is the opposite of what has been reported in another study (Brazaitis et al., 2014).
What is symptomatic Monocytosis?
Monocytosis is defined as a monocyte count that exceeds the upper limit of the reference range of 0.95 X 199/L (950/μL). Monocytosis is commonly caused by the following conditions: Bacterial infections: These include tuberculosis, subacute bacterial endocarditis, and brucellosis.
What is monocytic leukemia?
Monocytic leukemia is a type of myeloid leukemia characterized by a dominance of monocytes in the marrow. When the monocytic cells are predominantly monoblasts, it can be subclassified into acute monoblastic leukemia.
Are high monocytes bad?
People with monocyte levels within the normal range (0.2 – 0.8 x10^9/L) tend to develop fewer infections and chronic diseases. The most common causes of high monocytes (monocytosis) are chronic infections and inflammation. In turn, high monocytes can worsen inflammation and clog your blood vessels.
Does high monocytes mean Covid?
Researchers found about 10% of blood monocytes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). These monocytes then die, leading to the release of cytokines – a feature associated with severe and critical COVID-19.
How high are monocytes in Cmml?
A common sign of CMML is a high number of monocytes, greater than 1,000 per microliter.
How high is too high for monocytes?
Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection. Monocytosis or a monocyte count higher than 800/µL in adults indicates that the body is fighting an infection.
What is considered a high RDW?
A high RDW means you have both very small and very large red blood cells. You may also have a “normal” RDW. A normal RDW range is 12.2%–16.1% for women and 11.8%–14.5% for men.
What is Rdw in blood test?
A red cell distribution width (RDW) test is a measurement of the range in the volume and size of your red blood cells (erythrocytes). Red blood cells move oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body. Your cells need oxygen to grow, reproduce, and stay healthy.
What are the causes of Neutrophilia?
Acute bacterial infections, such as pneumococcal, staphylococcal, or leptospiral infections, are the most frequent causes of infection-induced neutrophilia. Certain viral infections, such as herpes complex, varicella, and EBV infections, may also cause neutrophilia.
What does Monocytopenia mean?
Monocytopenia is a reduction in blood monocyte count to < 500/mcL (< 0.5 × 10 9/L). Risk of certain infections is increased.
What is the function of monocyte?
Monocytes are a critical component of the innate immune system. They are the source of many other vital elements of the immune system, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. Monocytes play a role in both the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes that take place during an immune response.
What is normal WBC?
Different laboratories might use different ranges. In general, the normal range for men is 5,000-10,000 white blood cells per microliter of blood. For women who are not pregnant, the range is 4,500-11,000 white blood cells per microliter. For children, the range is 5,000-10,000.
What is considered a high white blood count?
The exact threshold for a high white blood cell count varies from one laboratory to another. In general, for adults a count of more than 11,000 white blood cells (leukocytes) in a microliter of blood is considered a high white blood cell count.

Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.