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What Causes Lymphocytopenia?
In general, lymphocytopenia (a low lymphocyte count) occurs because:
- The body doesn't make enough lymphocytes.
- The body makes enough lymphocytes, but they’re destroyed.
- The lymphocytes get stuck in the spleen or lymph nodes.
A combination of these factors also may cause a low lymphocyte count.
Many diseases, conditions, and factors can lead to a low lymphocyte count. These conditions can be acquired or inherited. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the condition, but you develop it. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.
Exactly how each disease, condition, or factor affects your lymphocyte count isn't known. Some people have low lymphocyte counts with no underlying cause.
Acquired Causes
Many acquired diseases, conditions, and factors can cause lymphocytopenia. Examples include:
- Infectious diseases, such as AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and typhoid fever.
- Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus. (Autoimmune disorders occur if the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s cells and tissues.)
- Steroid therapy.
- Blood cancer and other blood diseases, such as Hodgkin's disease and aplastic anemia.
- Radiation and chemotherapy (treatments for cancer).
Inherited Causes
Certain inherited diseases and conditions can lead to lymphocytopenia. Examples include DiGeorge anomaly, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia. These inherited conditions are rare.
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical strategy, treatment, or device is safe and effective for humans. To find clinical trials that are currently underway for Lymphocytopenia, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
The NHLBI updates Health Topics articles on a biennial cycle based on a thorough review of research findings and new literature. The articles also are updated as needed if important new research is published. The date on each Health Topics article reflects when the content was originally posted or last revised.
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