In a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia, which cell type deficiency is most likely contributing to infection risk?

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is characterized by the proliferation of myeloid progenitor cells, which leads to insufficient production of normal blood cells, including neutrophils. Neutrophils play a crucial role in the body's defense against infections, particularly bacterial and fungal infections. In patients with AML, the bone marrow is often overwhelmed with leukemic cells, resulting in a significant reduction in the production of functional neutrophils, a condition known as neutropenia.

Neutrophils are key components of the innate immune system; they are the first responders to sites of infection and are essential for phagocytosing pathogens and mediating inflammatory responses. Therefore, a deficiency of neutrophils significantly increases the risk of infections, which is a common complication in patients undergoing treatment for AML or in those with the disease itself.

While lymphocytes are important for immune responses, particularly in viral infections, and monocytes are involved in immune surveillance and response, the acute phase of leukemia primarily impacts neutrophil production. Additionally, platelet deficiency would lead to bleeding issues rather than increased infection risk. Given the role of neutrophils in fighting infections, their deficiency is the primary contributor to increased infection risk in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia.