Deviation of laboratory parameters from the norm always raises questions. So in this case: because of what are eosinophils in the blood elevated? What diseases does this happen? What is this talking about? What is their role in the body, and what may increase their number? Let's try to figure it out.
What are eosinophils?
Eosinophils are one of the groups of white blood cells (white blood cells). They belong to the neutrophilic series, but differ from neutrophils in some features. They are a little larger. Their cores contain fewer segments (usually 2-3). Under the microscope, the cytoplasm of these cells shows a characteristic abundant granularity of orange-pink color. It consists of a large number of homogeneous granules. When a blood test is done, eosinophils are counted in a smear under a microscope or determined on a hematological analyzer.
The name of the cells is due to the fact that they are well stained with eosin, which enters the Romanovsky dye, which is used to stain blood smears.
Eosinophil granules contain special enzymes that inactivate histamine and other mediators released from mast cells during allergic and inflammatory reactions. Eosinophils also have phagocytic activity. They can absorb small foreign cells and particles. They have a cytotoxic effect on helminth larvae, contributing to their death. They can also release substances that cause allergic reactions.
Eosinophils are produced by bone marrow cells, they are in the blood for a while, and then move into the perivascular tissue. Their total life expectancy is about 2 weeks. To date, some of the functions that eosinophils perform are not yet fully understood. The norm of these cells when counting in a smear is 1-5%. When determining on the analyzer - 0.12-0, 35x109 / liter.
When eosinophils rise
- An increase in the number of eosinophils always accompanies an allergic reaction. Various allergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma, pollinosis, atopic dermatitis, allergies to food or medicine, Quincke's edema and others, are accompanied by an increase in their number.
- With helminthiases - helminthic invasions, eosinophils are always elevated. Especially pronounced is eosinophilia with ascariasis, giardiasis, strongyloidosis, trichinosis, opisthorchiasis, echinococcosis, toxocariasis, filariasis, schistosomiasis. Moreover, the number of cells can sometimes exceed the norm many times.
- In childhood infections, for example, with scarlet fever, eosinophils are also often elevated.
- Blood diseases such as chronic myelogenous leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis, acute eosinophilic leukemia, erythremia, bone marrow aplasia are accompanied by an increase in these cells. Lymphomas and other tumors, especially bone tissue and serous membranes, also give rise to eosinophils significantly higher than normal.
- Periarteritis nodosa also often proceeds with their increase. The same can be said about rheumatoid arthritis.
When eosinophils go down
A decrease in eosinophils is observed with anaphylactic shock, with severe infectious diseases in the acute phase, with pneumonia, severe postoperative conditions, after childbirth. Eosinopenia indicates the severity of the patient's condition. When the acute period ends and improvement occurs, eosinophils in the blood are elevated to normal and higher. Old doctors called it the "scarlet dawn of recovery."
If elevated eosinophils are found in a blood test, allergic diseases and helminth infections must first be excluded. According to one laboratory indicator, it is difficult to judge the diagnosis. Clinical examination of the patient and other data from a laboratory study will allow him to clarify.