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This problem originates from USABO 2017 Semifinal #10 question.

I thought it should elevate the level since it's a viral infection, then there should be more white cells gathering around the lesion. But the answer says otherwise. I was confused and searched on google but there's no result. Thanks.

Adding a link is not allowed on my first post, so I can't share the exam pdf here for now.
The original question is :

If you were to have elevated levels of the cells shown below (stained red by the acidic
dye carbol chromotrope), it may be an indication of: Select ALL that apply.


A. Allergic reaction.
B. Cancer.
C. Chickpox.
D. Crohn’s disease.
E. Parasitic infection.

For anyone else curious, the picture looks like this:

(https://biology-forums.com/gallery/44/6_15_01_22_11_23_25.png) (https://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=44009)

Analysis:

When I see elevated white blood cell count, I immeditelity think the worst, like cancer. That would be my first choice.

Next, a high white blood cell count may also indicate an allergic responses.

Those would be my choices, but a third choice being a parasitic infection would have been something I would miss.

Thanks. I didn't know the picture was a bunch of white cells, so  I thought chickenpox is also the answer.

Google does mention that "Most children with varicella have leukopenia in the first 3 days, followed by leukocytosis." A higher-than-normal number of white blood cells is called leukocytosis.

So you're definitely on to something

Maybe the white cell picture of chicken pox looks different than the picture shown in the question? Since viral infection gives more of  lymphocytes, I don't know if that would make a difference visually.

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Thanks, that makes more sense.