Smoking and the Differential White Blood Cell Count as Determined on a Technicon H6000 (trademark) Automated Blood Cell Analyzer

摘要

A Technicon H6000(TM) automated blood cell analyzer was used to determine the effect of smoking on the differential white blood cell count and on platelet count. Approximately 3,000 apparently healthy individuals gave blood samples as part of an ongoing occupational health program. A significant increase in number of all leukocyte cell types was observed in smokers (8,177 cells per cu mm) as compared to nonsmokers (6319 cells per cu mm) (p< 0.001). The largest relative percent increase occurred in neutrophils (36%) and the lowest relative percent increase in eosinophils (14%). Smokers has a slight increase in mean percentage of neutrophils, compared with nonsmokers, and a slight decrease in mean percentage of lymphocytes. Smoking also appears to have affected the platelet count. Both male and female smokers show a slight increase in their platelet count in comparison to nonsmokers, 3.2% and 5.1% higher counts respectively. Possible explanations for the effect smoking has on the differential leukocyte counts are discussed.