Acute infection.
Elevation of the band count is not specific for infection, but may be secondary to inflammatory processes, tissue damage or necrosis, neoplasia, intoxication, metabolic abnormalities, hemorrhage, hemolysis or drugs. A CBC test usually includes: 1  White blood cell (WBC, leukocyte) count. 2  White blood cells protect the body against infection. 3  If an infection develops, white blood cells attack and destroy the bacteria, virus, or other organism causing it. 4  White blood cells are bigger than red blood cells but fewer in number. Summary Information: Band Cells. Band Cells: Band cells are a type of white blood cell. Band cells are the immature form of neutrophils and are produced rapidly during an infection. A large percentage of band cells in a venous blood sample indicate an infectious process occurring in the body. 1 Too many or too few of the different types of white blood cells can help find an infection, an allergic or toxic reaction to medicines or chemicals, and many conditions, such as leukemia. 2  Red blood cell (RBC) count. 3  Red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. An elevated number of bands suggests an acute infection. Actually the term is blasts Everyone has some amount of blast cells(immature) and they aren't ceels that can be used by the body. Elevated blast cells are a consideration when checking for diseases like Leukemia and another disease called MDS,,,Myleodysplasia. Bands/Stabs. Early in the response to infection, immature forms of neutrophils will be seen. These are call Stab or Band cells. The presence of these immature cells is called a shift to the left and can be the earliest sign of a WBC response, even before the WBC becomes elevated. 1 White blood cell types (WBC differential). 2  The major types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. 3  Immature neutrophils, called band neutrophils, are also part of this test. 4  Each type of cell plays a different role in protecting the body.
http://www.clinlabnavigator.com/band-count.html http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/complete-blood-count-cbc http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/organ/band_cells.htm http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/complete-blood-count-cbc http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_bands_in_hematology_tests http://www.brooksidepress.org/Products/OBGYN_101/MyDocuments4/Lab/WhiteBloodCellDifferentialCount.htm http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/complete-blood-count-cbc
what do elevated bands mean