Neutrophils are the group of the most numerous white blood cells whose main function is the fight against pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that penetrate the human body. Unlike red blood cells and platelets, neutrophils have a nucleus. Bone marrow neutrophils are produced and, depending on age, have different sizes and shapes of the nucleus.
Types of neutrophils
According to the degree of maturity, neutrophils are divided into the following groups;
- Myeloblasts - "newborns" from stem cells - the initial base for neutrophil maturation.
- Promyelocytes are a large round cell, the volume of which is almost completely occupied by the nucleus.
- Myelocytes are slightly smaller than promyelocytes, have a regular round shape of the nucleus and a dense membrane.
- Metamyelocytes - smaller than myelocytes, the nucleus is kidney-shaped.
- Band neutrophils - have a small nucleus of elongated, uneven shape, most of the cell is filled with cytoplasm.
- Segmented neutrophils - differ from rod-shaped neutrophils only in the shape of the nucleus, which is divided into segments. The size and amount of cytoplasm in these two types of neutrophils is the same.
The functions of segmented neutrophils
Only segmented neutrophils are mature cells and have the largest specific gravity in the total volume of leukocytes. Due to the ability not only to move in the blood stream, but also to penetrate through the walls of blood vessels with the help of special outgrowths of the wall - “legs”, segmented neutrophils advance in the tissues to the affected area and dissolve pathogens in their protoplasm. After the “attack”, neutrophils die, but the substances released by them signal to other groups of cells the location of the infection, and the bone marrow indicates the need to develop additional young myeloblasts.
Segmented neutrophils in the blood. Norma - what is she?
In a healthy adult, the proportion of segmented neutrophils is 47% -75% of the total number of neutrophils, while the number of stab neutrophils does not exceed 6%. Such a big difference is due to the instability of the stab form and its rapid maturation into a mature neutrophil.
This is the norm. Segmented neutrophils in the blood play an important role. Sometimes the absolute neutrophil count is used, which varies from 1000 to 7500 cells per microliter of plasma (recorded in thousands of cells per liter - 1.0-7.5 x 109 / l). In men and women, leukocyte counts do not have pronounced differences, they are more related to the level of hemoglobin, red blood cells, hematocrit.
With moderate infectious attacks, only segmented neutrophils participate in the protective functions of the body, the remaining younger forms continue to mature in the bone marrow and are absent in the blood at all. However, in the case of extensive pathogenic foci, when a large number of mature neutrophils die quickly, and replenishment does not have time to be synthesized, the unripened neutrophils of the four final stages are connected to the process of eliminating the infection.
According to the recording of neutrophil stages from myelocytes to segmented from left to right, the leukocyte formula can shift to the left when the number of “young” neutrophils in the blood is increased, or to the right when the norm of mature white blood cells is exceeded.
Degrees of neutrophilia
An increase in the level of segmented neutrophils in the blood plasma is called neutrophilia or neutrophilia. This is due to the fact that the norm of segmented blood in men and women is violated. Neutrophilia itself indicates a sufficient level of the body's immunity and its ability to withstand the onslaught of pathogenic bacteria, according to its level, doctors preliminary assess the degree of disease pathology.
There are three degrees of neutrophilia:
- moderate when the level of neutrophils from 6.0 -7.0 rises to 10;
- extensive - with an indicator of 10.0 to 20.0;
- generalized if it exceeds 20.0.
Moderate neutrophilia in the range of 8.0-8.5 with the norm of the remaining leukocyte groups does not necessarily indicate the presence of pathology. This can be caused by excessive physical exertion, psycho-emotional stress, stress, overeating, the menstrual cycle in women. Also, a shift in the leukocyte formula to the left can be observed after an infectious disease, during which an excess of “young” neutrophils was ejected into the bloodstream, which were then transformed into mature segmented forms. A shift to the right can occur in cases of large blood loss, with blood transfusions, with some types of anemia.
Causes of neutrophilia in adults
An extensive level of neutrophilia is caused by a number of pathogenic factors. These can be various acute infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, joints. A generalized level of neutrophilia occurs with necrotic conditions, improper vaccination, severe forms of poisoning with chemicals or alcohol, and oncological diseases.
The increase in white blood cells in women during pregnancy
With the onset of pregnancy, most women experience a general increase in the level of white blood cells in the blood. In early pregnancy, this is caused by a reaction to the embryo as a foreign tissue. Then, the total specific weight of leukocytes stabilizes within 20% above the norm with a relative ratio of all types of neutrophils within the norms of an adult. Sometimes, in women with gestation, a shift in such an indicator as the norm of segmented in the blood in women to the left with an increase in
stab neutrophils can be observed
. In this case, the remaining indicators of blood, lymph, urine are studied to detect the presence of pathologies. If no significant deviations have been established, such a shift can signal the likelihood of a miscarriage, a woman should not neglect a thorough examination and observation by doctors.
Causes of neutropenia
A decrease in neutrophil levels below the norm is called neutropenia and occurs, as a rule, for three main reasons:
- The occurrence of severe bacterial and viral diseases, such as brucellosis, measles, rubella, hepatitis, when the body was attacked by a huge number of pathogenic agents, which were used to fight too many leukocytes.
- The production of bone marrow resources, which caused the inhibition of neutrophil synthesis function. This may be due to the use of strong drugs - immunosuppressive, painkillers, chemotherapy, when exposed to radiation and radiation therapy.
- The development of blood diseases - leukemia, anemia, acute deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid. When treated with such popular antiviral drugs as ribavirin and interferon, a decrease in neutrophil levels is observed in 90% of those taking the drug.
Decreased segmented neutrophils cause neutropenia. Like neutrophilia, neutropenia is of three degrees of severity. With a constant rate of 1.0 to 1.5, neutropenia is considered mild. If the indicators fall below 1.0 and 0.5, moderate and severe neutropenia are diagnosed, respectively.
However, not always a lowered level of neutrophils indicates the presence of serious diseases or pathological abnormalities in the body. According to various sources, up to 30% of the population of Russia have constant benign neutropenia of the first or second degree with the norm of all other blood parameters. Also, in a small number of people, a drop in the level of neutrophils is cyclical individual in nature.
Decreased segmented neutrophils are extremely dangerous for the body. Treatment of diagnosed neutropia should be carried out immediately, since such a condition can lead to toxic shock or death. Without a detailed blood test, it is quite difficult to recognize neutropenia, since its symptoms are similar to many caused by a variety of other diseases. According to the analysis, the hematologist will be able to accurately analyze the qualitative composition of white blood cells and other indicators and identify the degree of danger of deviations from the norm.
Segmented neutrophils in the blood: the norm in children
In children, leukocyte counts differ from adult norms. Depending on the period of life, these indicators have quite large fluctuations. So, with an adult norm of 47-75%, a newborn child has a segmented neutrophil level from 45 to 80%, a child under the age of 1 year - 15-45%, a child from the age of 1 year to 12 years - 25-62%, in adolescence - 40-60%. Then, usually in a healthy child, the level of segmented is stabilized within normal limits, and stab levels are reduced from 17% to normal in 5-6%.
Are you interested in the norm "neutrophils segmented in the blood of a child" rate? The table clearly reflects this.
The reason for this difference in the blood composition of children is the process of formation of immunity, which reaches the optimal level only by adulthood. At the moment of birth, the child’s body experiences severe stress, therefore it builds a protective barrier, which causes slight neutrophilia in the first months of life. However, then the bone marrow, which has not yet been fully developed, determines the minimum level of protection by segmented neutrophils with a high stab rate.
Neutrophilia in children can be triggered by a recent vaccination, which is a positive signal about the correct response of the immune system to infection. Also, an increase in the level of neutrophils can occur due to the use of drugs and steroid hormones.
Neutropenia in children can occur with severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions, anemia, during viral diseases that weaken the general immunity, with the use of anticonvulsants and painkillers, poisoning with chemicals.
Usually, childhood neutropenia does not require special treatment; up to 5 years, the level of segmented neutrophils returns to normal, however, it should be remembered that such children have reduced resistance to colds and viral diseases, if possible, they should be protected from intense foci of infection. Then, according to the analysis of "neutrophils segmented in the blood", the norm will be revealed.
How to keep white blood cells normal?
Various measures aimed at increasing the general immunity of the body and enhancing metabolic processes contribute to a normal stable level of leukocytes. It is important first of all to take care of a high-quality diet, in which there should be a lot of vegetables, fruits, fiber, a moderate amount of calories, it is important not to overeat. Vaccinations on time will help reduce the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases. And this applies not only to children, but also to adults, since today there are many different high-quality vaccines for such serious diseases as hepatitis, meningitis, various types of sepsis, shingles.
An excellent prevention of infections and the presence of such an element as neutrophils segmented in the blood, the norm of which is mentioned above, is to regularly wash the sinuses of the nose with clean or salted water, since cleansing the mucous membrane and villi in the nasal passages significantly increases their protective function. Do not neglect such simple and effective methods as hardening procedures, walks in the fresh air, regular exercise. You also need to take measures to reduce the load, eliminate frequent stressful situations, it is important not to allow constant overwork. In the seasons of exacerbation of colds, you need to try to protect yourself and your children from visiting public places, public events.