HematologyOutlines - Atlas
Blood/Blood Cells and Cellular Components ›› Lymphocytes ›› Abnormal

Reactive Lymphocyte*


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› Microscopic Features:
  • 2-4x larger than a mature RBC
  • Increased amount of light blue cytoplasm
  • Nucleoli usually absent
  • Cytoplasm is usually indented by surrounding RBCs
  • Granules are usually absent (as opposed to LGL)
› Normal % blood-PB, marrow-BM, lymphoid tissue-LN:
  • PB: Rare to none
  • BM: None
  • LN: None
› May Resemble:
  • Lymphocyte (mature)
  • Myeloblast
  • Monocyte
  • Large granular lymphocyte
› Differential Diagnoses:

Increased numbers in blood may be associated with:
Epstein-Barr virus infection (Infectious mononucleosis)
CMV infection
Other viral Infections
Drug reaction
Chronic inflammatory disorders (e.g.systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis)

› Classic Immunophenotype:
  • CD2+
  • CD3+
  • CD8+
  • CD4-
  • CD5+
  • CD7+
› Cartoon Image:



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RBC
for direct comparison

› Misc:
  • Increased numbers may be seen in some viral infections (e.g. EBV mononucleosis)