what does reactive lymphocytes mean
Reactive lymphocyte surrounded by red blood cells. Reactive lymphocytes or variant lymphocytes are cytotoxic (CD8+) lymphocytes that become large as a result of antigen stimulation. Typically, they can be more than 30 Âµm in diameter with varying size and shape. The nucleus of a reactive lymphocyte can be round, elliptic, indented, cleft, or folded. The cytoplasm is often abundant and can be basophilic.