Monocytosis Differential Diagnosis
The following is a differential diagnosis for monocytosis, organized into categories:
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic infection (e.g., tuberculosis, endocarditis): Monocytosis is a common response to chronic infections, as monocytes play a key role in the immune response.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis): Monocytosis can occur in response to chronic inflammation in the gut.
- Malignancy (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma): Certain types of cancer can cause monocytosis, either through direct production of monocytes or through stimulation of the immune response.
- Autoimmune disorders (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus): Monocytosis can occur in response to chronic inflammation and immune activation in autoimmune disorders.
- Chronic kidney disease: Monocytosis can occur in response to chronic inflammation and immune activation in chronic kidney disease.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Hematologic malignancy (e.g., acute monocytic leukemia): Although less common, hematologic malignancies can cause monocytosis and have a high mortality rate if left untreated.
- Sepsis: Monocytosis can occur in response to severe infection, and sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- HIV infection: Monocytosis can occur in response to HIV infection, and early diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent progression to AIDS.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Histiocytosis: A rare disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of histiocytes, which can cause monocytosis.
- Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A rare disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of Langerhans cells, which can cause monocytosis.
- Castleman disease: A rare disorder characterized by abnormal proliferation of lymphoid cells, which can cause monocytosis.
- Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A rare genetic disorder characterized by abnormal immune activation and monocytosis.