What is promonocytes?

Promonocytes are a type of white blood cell that are the precursor to monocytes. They are produced in the bone marrow and typically make up less than 5% of the circulating white blood cells in the body. Promonocytes are slightly larger than most other white blood cells and are characterized by their blue color when stained with a special dye. They have a lifespan of about 48 hours before maturing into monocytes, which can further differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells. Elevated levels of promonocytes in the blood may indicate certain infections or inflammatory conditions.