The determination of the number of neutrophils present in a blood sample, adjusted to reflect the total white blood cell count, provides a crucial piece of information in assessing a patient’s immune status. This value is derived from both the white blood cell count and the percentage of neutrophils observed during a complete blood count with differential. For example, if a patient has a white blood cell count of 5,000 cells per microliter and neutrophils comprise 60% of that count, the resulting value would be 3,000 cells per microliter (5,000 x 0.60 = 3,000).
This calculated figure is an important indicator for evaluating a patient’s risk of infection, particularly in individuals undergoing chemotherapy or with conditions affecting bone marrow function. Its utility extends to monitoring treatment response and identifying potential complications such as neutropenia, a condition characterized by abnormally low numbers, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Historically, manual methods were used to assess blood cell populations. However, advancements in automated hematology analyzers have improved the speed and accuracy of this hematological parameter assessment.
