Neutrophils are blood cells that belong to a subspecies of white blood cells (white blood cells). They guard the health of the individual's body, protecting it from infections, fungi and pathogenic microflora. If stab neutrophils are lowered, then this leads to the development of pathological processes and is called neutropenia.
general information
Neutrophils are a type of granulocyte (granular leukocyte). Their main function is to capture and absorb various harmful particles. Having absorbed microorganisms, they die, and new cells form in their place. Together with lymphocytes, they reliably protect the body. Neutrophils are divided into:
- Band stabs are blood cells that do not have a nucleus formed. They are also called immature. They are synthesized in the spleen, bone marrow and liver. Ripening, they turn mature, i.e. segmented. The function of phagocytosis is carried out by them after complete maturation. They live only in the bloodstream, as they are not able to move to the site of damage and pass through the wall of the vessel. The norm in an adult is within five percent. In children, this indicator depends on age.
- Segmented - have a clear structure and a formed core.
The immunity of an individual is affected by the number of neutrophils. In addition, the course of inflammatory processes in the body depends on them. Therefore, if the analysis showed that stab neutrophils are reduced, then this will negatively affect the health of the individual. However, for a neutrophil to become a full-fledged defender of the body, it must go through several stages of development:
- myeloblast;
- promyelocyte;
- metamyelocyte;
- stab cell - it appears by ejection when a threat such as pathogens or infection appears;
- a segmented cell is a complete blood element. She is able to move in the bloodstream.
The functions of stab neutrophils
The main functions of immature neutrophils:
- Biological Cells supply the necessary enzymes to the affected area and thereby activate the process of resorption of necrotic tissue.
- Protective. As a result of phagocytosis, enzyme substances are synthesized, which become an obstacle to dangerous phenomena that threaten the body of the individual.
- Antitoxic substances are delivered to the blood.
- Participate in fibrinolysis.
It is important to remember that reduced stab neutrophils cannot fully perform the necessary functions.
Change in the number of stab neutrophils
The change in their number in the direction of increase arises as a result of the need for the body to fight infectious agents. The production of stab neutrophils and their maturation increases. A decrease in neutrophils as a whole also leads to a decrease in stab levels, up to their complete absence. Thus, neutropenia or, conversely, neutrophilia, is reflected in progenitor cells.
Stages of neutropenia
Neutropenia indicates that the body is tired as a result of a long-term illness and a weakened immune system. Chemotherapy treatment can also provoke this condition. The following stages are distinguished:
If the number of stab neutrophils is reduced, then the individual has weakness, increased sweating, fever, headache, chills, and dental problems. The appearance of other symptoms signals the rapid development of the disease and then the patient needs hospitalization and examination. An increased level of stab neutrophils indicates the presence of infection in the body or the development of the inflammatory process.
Types of neutropenia
The following types of neutropenia are distinguished:
- Cyclic - manifests itself with a certain duration and lasts no more than two days.
- Benign - is associated with the natural feature of a particular individual.
- Costman - a genetic factor influences her appearance. Inadequate protection makes the body vulnerable to bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Diagnostics
In order for the doctor to understand why stab neutrophils are normal and segmented neutrons are reduced, a thorough diagnosis is necessary. The quantitative indicator of immature cells is influenced by various factors. Deviation both downward and vice versa, signals the development of pathological processes in the body of the individual, which are accompanied by a rather sharp deterioration of his condition. For a diagnosis, doctors will also be interested in the values of indicators such as:
- white blood cells;
- basophils;
- monocytes;
- eosinophils;
- mature neutrophils.
It is recommended that you determine the level of immature cells in the following situations:
- after surgery - to analyze the effectiveness of therapy and infection of the wound;
- when coughing - an increased amount indicates the bacterial nature of the infection;
- prolonged fever;
- before prescribing antibacterial drugs - in the future this will help determine the effectiveness of therapy (the absence of a decrease in neutrophils will indicate the development of complications);
- the presence of a clinical picture characteristic of acute respiratory infections.
Band neutrophils lowered: causes
The main reasons are the suppression of the synthesis of cells related to the leukocyte series. In all cases, a decrease in neutrophils and stab forms provokes a suppression of immunity and a weakening of the body's defensive reaction. Among the factors contributing to an insignificant decrease in these blood cells are:
- age up to five years;
- exhaustion of the body;
- taking certain drugs that provoke a decrease in neutrophils - cytostatics, analgesics, anticonvulsants, hormones;
- intoxication;
- allergic reactions;
- being in an adverse climatic zone.
Some features of reducing stab neutrophils
Band neutrophils are immature forms of blood cells. Literally a few hours after its inception, they become mature, i.e., segmented. In infants, normal rates range from five to twelve, and in adults, from one to six percent. Among the reasons for lowering stab neutrophils in a child are:
- excessive physical activity;
- genetics;
- lack of folic acid and cyanocobalamin;
- hormonal imbalance;
- severe stress;
- lead intoxication;
- radiation
- bad ecology;
- the effect of certain drugs.
The following diseases also contribute to their reduction:
- autoimmune diseases;
- bone marrow disease;
- viral and severe bacterial infections;
- erythremia;
- chronic lymphocytic leukemia;
- splenomegaly.
Decoding leukocyte formula
Decoding the leukocyte formula is carried out using a hemometer. Band neutrophils are lowered or, conversely, are elevated, has important diagnostic value. If a shift to the left is observed, then this indicates the growth of immature cells, and to the right indicates an increase in mature cells. Thus, radiation shift, anemia, and kidney and liver disease are suspected when shifting to the right. And the presence of a large number of immature cells in the blood is characteristic of malignant tumors and severe inflammatory processes.
When studying a blood test, all indicators are considered. For example, if stab neutrophils are lowered, and monocytes and lymphocytes are increased, then this is a sign of an acute infection of viral origin. And if lymphocytes and neutrophils are lowered or the first are within normal limits, then this indicates the presence of a chronic viral infection. Another interpretation is known - such indicators are temporary and are a consequence of a viral infection.
Often, the value of stab neutrophils indicates a sluggish or chronic infection, for example, sinusitis or laryngitis. If a zero indicator of stab neutrophils is detected, the reason lies in the following:
- viral and bacterial infections;
- anemia;
- exposure to radiation;
- toxic effect of certain drugs.
The performance of stab neutrophils allows the doctor to see how the bone marrow works.
Reasons for a reduced neutrophil count in an adult
A change in the level of mature or immature neutrophils is detected by decoding a blood test. At the same time, such indicators as monocytes lymphocytes are compared and analyzed. A sharp decrease in stab neutrophils in an adult is present with the following serious abnormalities, such as:
- thrombocytopenia;
- bone marrow metastases;
- leukemia;
- ulcerative lesions of the stomach and duodenum;
- poisoning;
- consequences of radiation treatment.
Long-term use of penicillin antibiotics, as well as analgesics based on metamizole sodium, helps to reduce the level of neutrophils. With low rates of stab and segmented cells in a pregnant woman, there is a risk of miscarriage. Only the doctor can establish the exact reason for the reduction of any types of neutrophils after an additional examination.
The child lowered stab neutrophils: causes
Permissible values of mature and immature white cells in the blood in children depend on age. With age, neutrophil counts normalize. However, there are individuals who are diagnosed with chronic neutropenia. When diagnosing this pathology in a child, he is put on a dispensary account, since low neutrophil counts indicate the failure of the immune system. The baby is constantly attacked by viruses and symptoms such as lethargy, fatigue, low or no mobility appear. Sometimes stomach upsets join. There are many reasons for the decline in immature cells. Significant changes in health indicate the following pathological conditions:
- fungal infections;
- acute leukemia;
- anemia
- chemical poisoning;
- viral diseases;
- radiation therapy;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- condition after anaphylactic shock.
As in adults, the reason for lowering stab neutrophils in children is the use of hormones, anticonvulsants, and pain medications. A natural process is the reduction of neutrophils at an early age. As they grow older, their number increases. However, a significant decrease in these cells is dangerous and signals low immunity. In addition, low rates can be caused by hereditary factors. In this case, a rather sharp deterioration in well-being and visible symptoms is not observed.
Treatment
There is no specific therapy aimed at normalizing deviations from the norm. Initially, the doctor identifies the cause, and then measures are taken to eliminate it:
- a disease that affected the reduction of neutrophils, including stab stabs, should be cured;
- cancel some medicines and prescribe others;
- review the diet and enrich it with vitamins.
The danger of low neutrophils
A decrease indicates a severe course of the disease, while the body spends a large number of immature neutrophils. At a low level of stab cells, neutropenia is exposed. For adult individuals, the absence of these cells is less dangerous than for children, since the immune system replaces the missing cells with others.
Deviations from the norm in one direction or the other are dangerous to health. If the level of stab neutrophils is reduced, the reason lies in a weakened immune system. In this case, it is necessary to direct all forces to restore protective forces, otherwise the individual will be constantly exposed to various serious illnesses.