answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A total white blood count gives a single number - how many white blood cells were present per milliliter of sample. A differential white blood count breaks the number down among the different white blood cell types - neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, basophil, eosinophil. Different white blood cells will respond to different types of pathology - neutrophils are associated with bacterial infections, eosinophils with parasite infestation, monocytes with chronic infections, etc.

User Avatar

Dimitri Welch

Lvl 13
10mo ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

A differential WBC count allows the pathologist or physician to narrow down the cause of a particular pathology because different white blood cells are active in different types of immune responses.

For instance, if the eosinophil count was high, the physician would be focusing on auto-immune, allergic or parasitic diseases. In contrast, if the neutrophil count was high with a large percentage of band cells, the physician would be focusing on an acute bacterial infection.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

A total white blood count gives a single number - how many white blood cells were present per milliliter of sample. A differential white blood count breaks the number down among the different white blood cell types - neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, basophil, eosinophil. Different white blood cells will respond to different types of pathology - neutrophils are associated with bacterial infections, eosinophils with parasite infestation, monocytes with chronic infections, etc.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

Because the types of WBCs counted is more diagnostic of viral or bacterial processes in addition to malfunctioning of the bone marrow in the production of cells.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why is a differential white blood cell count more valuable than a total white blood cells count when trying to pin down the specific source of pathology?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What is the difference in Pathology and Morbidity?

Pathology is the study or diagnosis of disease. Morbidity is a state of ill health, disease or disablement from a specific source.


What are the top pathology residency programs?

Unfortunately, there is no actual ranking system for pathology residency programs or pathology fellowship programs. However, there is a Pathology Resident Wiki (pathinfo dot wikia dot com) that has a complete pathology residency program directory and pathology fellowship program directory. Another good source of info is studentdoctor dot net.


The closer in time and place a source and its creator were to an event in the past the more the source will be?

more valuable the source will be


What source is a diary?

A diary is a primary source that provides firsthand accounts of a person's experiences, thoughts, and feelings. It offers insights into the writer's perspective during a specific period, making it a valuable historical and personal record.


What do it mean by valuable land?

Valuable land is a piece of property that is a source to the townspeople. In other words valuable land is land worth protecting.


How helpful is WebPath in finding information on pathology education?

WebPath can be pretty helpful on finding information regarding pursuing education in the field of various types of pathology; some use it as the only source for information.


How have human affected tigers?

They have provided them a valuable food source.


What in The Indies were a source of valuable spices?

I don’t know


What does the time and place rule determine?

More valuable the source will be


What is most likely true when the author of a source was present at an event and wrote source immediately following the event?

the source is more valuable


What is most likely true when the author of a source was present at an event and wrote the source immediately following the event?

the source is more valuable


Where might one purchase storage cupboards?

Purchasing storage cupboards could be found from local cabinet stores. Searching the internet could also be a valuable source of information when searching for specific items.