Monocyte is a type of leukocyte, part of the human body's immune system. Monocytes have two main functions in the immune system: (1) replenish resident macrophages and dendritic cells under normal states, and (2) in response to inflammation signals, monocytes can move quickly (approx. 8-12 hours) to sites of infection in the tissues and divide/differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells to elicit an immune response. Monocytes are usually identified in stained smears by their large bilobate nucleus.
Monocytes are responsible for phagocytosis (ingestion) of foreign substances in the body. Monocytes can perform phagocytosis using intermediary (opsonising) proteins such as antibodies or complement that coat the pathogen, as well as by binding to the microbe directly via pattern-recognition receptors that recognize pathogens. Monocytes are also capable of killing infected host cells via antibody, termed antibody-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. Vacuolization may be present in a cell that has recently phagocytized foreign matter.
A monocyte count is part of a complete blood count and is expressed either as a ratio of monocytes to the total number of white blood cells counted, or by absolute numbers. Both may be useful in determining or refuting a possible diagnosis. Monocytosis is the state of excess monocytes in the peripheral blood. It may be indicative of various disease states. Examples of processes that can increase a monocyte count include:chronic inflammation : stress response : hyperadrenocorticism : immune-mediated disease : infectious mononucleosis : pyogranulomatous disease :necrosis: red cell regeneration : Viral Fever : A high count of CD14+CD16+ monocytes is found in severe infection (sepsis) and a very low count of these cells is found after therapy with immuno-suppressive glucocorticoids With the fact that you are just 108 above the high value of a 750 range is significant. When you look at large ranges like that is usually means that you can get more out of the normal with out bieng critical. What did your doctor say about this value? Of course he is the expert and he would develop a treatment if needed. Although in my professional opinion, unless you have other symptons like fever, infection, or other symptons I wouldn't be concerned.
