$Unique_ID{BRK00577}
$Pretitle{Blood and Blood Forming Organs, Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare
Diseases}
$Title{Lazy White Blood Cells}
$Subject{lazy leukocytes white blood cell}
$Volume{D-7, N-7}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Lazy White Blood Cells


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QUESTION:  I have suffered since childhood with repeated infections of my gum
and tongue.  Although I have had excellent dental care, the condition keeps
coming back.  I recently visited a hematologist who felt that my problem could
be related to "lazy white blood cells", and that the condition was not
serious, and just something to live with.  Can you amplify on that
explanation?

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ANSWER:  Only with some difficulty, as you have not provided me too much to
work with.  I have focused in on the word "lazy" and discovered an antiquated
syndrome called the "Lazy Leukocyte Syndrome".  First described in 1971 in an
article by Dr. M.E. Miller published in the British medical journal LANCET, it
described white blood cells "leukocytes" that failed to function in normal
fashion.  Rather than attacking foreign poisons in the system, they moved
about in random fashion, and did not respond to the stimulus of the chemicals
that could present a threat to the body.  As a result, patients suffered from
recurring infections of mouth and gums (stomatitis and gingivitis).  Both men
and women seemed affected in about equal numbers and the condition often
started in early childhood.  No treatment is noted.  Of late we have
discovered the presence of a substance "Leucocyte Inhibitory Factor" (LIF)
which may be chemical which causes the neutrophils to desert their
responsibilities in defending our bodies against toxic invaders.  A physician
who specializes in Immunology might be able to afford you additional
explanations, if you do, in fact, have this unusual syndrome.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
