Re: Do white blood cells kill useful red blood cells?

The short answer to your question is not usually.  White blood cells
generally leave healthy cells alone, including red blood cells.

However, in cases of infection, like malaria, white cells can target red
blood cells for destruction.  This kind of destruction does not result in
all of the red cells being killed.  Rather, the infected cells are targeted.

The second instance of white cells targeting red blood cells is a disease
called autoimmune hemolytic anemia.  This condition can result from a
particular disease or appear for no apparent reason.

If you would like to learn more about the blood and diseases associated
with red blood cells please visit the following web sites:
 http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/blood_p5.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000571.htm http://www.psbc.org/education/hematology/blood/_frm/frm_rbc_premature.htm