(Solved) Can chichenpox infection elevate the levels of cells?

Juntao Li

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2 years ago

Can chichenpox infection elevate the levels of cells?

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.

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bio_man

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Educator

2 years ago

For anyone else curious, the picture looks like this:

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.

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Juntao L. Author

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2 years ago

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

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bio_man

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Educator

2 years ago

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

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Juntao L. Author

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2 years ago

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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bio_man

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Educator

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Can chichenpox infection elevate the levels of cells?

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