From the Research
Myelocytes are immature white blood cells that are normally found in bone marrow and their presence in peripheral blood typically indicates a pathological condition. When considering the morbidity, mortality, and quality of life outcomes, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause of myelocytes in peripheral blood. The presence of myelocytes in blood is called a "left shift" because it represents a shift toward immature cells in the maturation sequence. Normal myelocyte development occurs in the bone marrow where they undergo division and maturation before being released as fully functional granulocytes. Myelocytes contain specific granules in their cytoplasm and have round to oval nuclei, distinguishing them from more mature forms. Laboratory identification of myelocytes in peripheral blood requires microscopic examination of a blood smear by trained professionals, and their presence should prompt further investigation to determine the underlying cause, as suggested by 1. Some of the possible causes of myelocytes in peripheral blood include leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, severe infections, or bone marrow infiltration by cancer, as discussed in 2, 3, and 4. However, the diagnosis of mycobacterial and fungal infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome using bone marrow core biopsy specimens has limited value, as shown in 5. In terms of diagnosis, a thorough review of the patient's clinical record, a thorough morphologic review of the bone marrow with appropriate ancillary stains, and an appreciation of the causes of bone marrow necrosis in different patient populations are required to determine the underlying cause of myelocytes in peripheral blood, as recommended by 1. Key points to consider when evaluating myelocytes in peripheral blood include:
- The clinical significance of myelocytes in peripheral blood
- The possible causes of myelocytes in peripheral blood, such as leukemia, myeloproliferative disorders, severe infections, or bone marrow infiltration by cancer
- The importance of laboratory identification of myelocytes in peripheral blood using microscopic examination of a blood smear by trained professionals
- The need for further investigation to determine the underlying cause of myelocytes in peripheral blood. Given the potential severity of the underlying causes, prompt and thorough investigation is essential to determine the cause of myelocytes in peripheral blood and to guide appropriate treatment, as emphasized by the most recent study 4.