Final answer:
Leukocyte counts increase in conditions like RA due to chronic inflammation, and in the treatment of gout, medications that inhibit leukocyte proliferation can lead to reduced leukocyte counts and increased risk of infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leukocyte counts are an important indicator of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout. In RA, there is often an increase in leukocytes due to a type III hypersensitivity reaction which involves chronic release of inflammatory cytokines, leading to leukocytosis. Conversely, gout is another form of arthritis characterized by painful joint inflammation and can be treated with medications like colchicine that inhibit mitosis, resulting in decreased leukocyte proliferation and potentially lower leukocyte counts. This treatment can lead to undesirable side effects such as leukopenia, where too few leukocytes are produced, rendering the patient more susceptible to infections. Understanding the changes in leukocyte counts during these conditions is essential for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.