Final answer:
High polys and low lymphs in a blood smear may indicate bacterial infections or immunosuppression due to chronic illness or drug therapies. Leukocytosis could also be involved, and further medical examination is necessary for correct diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a blood smear shows that polys (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, a category that includes neutrophils) are high and lymphs (lymphocytes) are low, it may indicate an underlying condition or a bodily response to stress. A high polymorphonuclear leukocyte count could point towards bacterial infections, inflammation, or stress responses. Meanwhile, a low lymphocyte count might suggest a state of immunosuppression due to chronic illness, infections like HIV, or the impact of certain drug therapies like steroids.
Leukocytosis is a condition characterized by an abnormally high number of white blood cells, which can include high counts of neutrophils in the absence of an infection. This could occur with inflammation or as a response to medication. Conversely, low lymphocyte counts can lead to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and may reflect a compromised immune function. Conditions like lymphoma and other malignancies can also influence these blood cell levels significantly.
Therefore, interpreting the high polys and low lymphs in a blood smear entails considering various clinical contexts to diagnose accurately. Medical professionals often use additional tests and patient history to discern the specific cause of these abnormal blood counts.