Which factor can lead to an abnormal differential leukocyte count?

An abnormal differential leukocyte count can be significantly influenced by infection. When an infection is present, the body's immune system reacts by producing more white blood cells, particularly neutrophils, which are crucial for fighting off pathogens. This leads to an elevation in the total white blood cell count and can alter the proportions of different types of leukocytes in the differential count.

In addition to infections, other conditions or factors can also affect leukocyte counts; however, in the context of this question, infection is the primary factor associated with notable and meaningful changes in the leukocyte differential. For example, certain bacterial infections often lead to a left shift, where immature white blood cells appear in greater numbers, indicating an increased production in response to a significant challenge to the immune system.

In contrast, while dehydration and a high protein diet can influence other clinical parameters, they do not have the same direct and pronounced effect on the differential leukocyte count as infections do. Dehydration may concentrate cell counts, but it doesn't specifically change the composition of leukocyte types in a differential count. A high protein diet may not significantly impact leukocyte levels at all.

Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the strong link between infectious processes and alterations in the differential leukocyte distribution, which is a