Explain why would there be more white blood cells found in a person's body who is infected by salmonella bacteria rather than a healthy person?
The troops are being called out to defend against the infection.
When a person's body is infected by salmonella bacteria, more white blood cells are typically found compared to a healthy person. White blood cells play a crucial role in our immune system, defending our body against foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
To understand why there are more white blood cells during a Salmonella infection, we need to look at the specific type of white blood cells involved – neutrophils. Neutrophils are one of the most abundant white blood cells in our body and are the first to arrive at the site of infection.
During a Salmonella infection, the bacteria release various substances that act as signals, attracting neutrophils to the infected area. Neutrophils are attracted to these signals through a process called chemotaxis. Once they reach the infected site, neutrophils initiate an immune response to neutralize the bacteria.
Neutrophils are phagocytes, which means they engulf and digest foreign particles, including bacteria. They release enzymes and chemicals to break down the bacteria, and in this process, some neutrophils may die. As more and more neutrophils are recruited to the infection site, their numbers increase in the bloodstream as well.
Furthermore, Salmonella bacteria can also trigger the release of other types of white blood cells, such as monocytes and lymphocytes, as part of the immune response. These cells help in infection clearance, antibody production, and coordination of the immune system.
To determine the increased presence of white blood cells, a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) is conducted. The CBC measures the levels of different components of your blood, including white blood cells. An elevated white blood cell count, specifically an increase in neutrophils, can indicate an ongoing infection, such as salmonella.
In summary, the presence of more white blood cells during a Salmonella infection is a natural response of the immune system to combat the infection. The bacteria release chemical signals that attract neutrophils and other white blood cells to the site of infection, leading to an increased number of white blood cells throughout the body.