Final answer:
Defective WBCs can result in leukopenia, leaving individuals prone to infections, or leukocytosis, with nonfunctional cells. Leukemia and other blood disorders can be diagnosed and monitored using blood tests like a full blood count, which measures the level of different leukocytes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The clinical correlation of defective white blood cells (WBCs) is primarily associated with the body’s capability to fight off infections and maintain immune surveillance. When WBCs are defective or not present in sufficient quantity, it is referred to as leukopenia. This condition makes an individual prone to infections due to an inadequate immune response. On the other hand, a condition known as leukocytosis is characterized by an excessive proliferation of WBCs, which may still leave an individual at an increased risk for disease as the cells might be nonfunctional. Diagnoses of various hematologic abnormalities are often made by analyzing blood work, noting abnormal levels of monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and other leukocyte subsets in relation to normal values.
Leukemia is a significant disease associated with abnormal division and the function of leukocytes. Conditions like acute myelogenous leukemia can impair the production of erythrocytes, and chemotherapy, a treatment option for cancers such as leukemia, can lead to further destruction of leukocytes, making individuals immunocompromised. Blood tests can help identify these abnormalities, such as a full blood count test, which can detect neutrophilia indicative of infection or other alterations in WBC levels.