Final answer:
The statement regarding the increase in lymphocytes during chronic viral and bacterial infection and neutrophils during acute infection is true. Lymphocyte levels can decrease during sepsis, while monocytes increase during tuberculous infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true. Lymphocytes, which include B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells, increase during chronic viral and bacterial infections as they produce antibodies and destroy infected cells. Neutrophils are leukocytes that perform phagocytosis, and their count increases during acute infections. They die after engulfing a few pathogens, necessitating large quantities being produced during infection.
During sepsis, lymphocytes can be decreased, and, interestingly, monocytes increase in cases like tuberculous infection. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that develops into macrophages, which are highly efficient at phagocytizing pathogens and act as antigen-presenting cells, initiating the adaptive immune response.