Today, in order to identify whether there is an inflammatory process or a blood disease in the body, you just need to do a cytological smear or a blood test. Neutrophilic white blood cells and their number in the analysis results are able to indicate some changes in the body. In order to understand this topic in more detail, this article was created.
Neutrophils. What is it?
Neutrophilic white blood cells, or as they are also called neutrophilic granulocytes, are a type of white blood cells. They look like white blood cells, their important function is to protect the body from the effects of bacterial infections, as well as support the human immunity itself.
The place of maturation of neutrophils is the bone marrow, then they "migrate" into the blood, and their speed is 7 million per minute. The circulation of neutrophils in the blood takes place from 8 hours to 2 days, after which they move to the tissues, where their main function is performed - to protect the body. In these same tissues, neutrophils also die.
Neutrophils are the most significant and quite numerous of all subspecies of leukocytes in the blood, and their percentage is 45-70% of leukocytes, whose diameter is 12-15 microns.
Neutrophilic white blood cells act as an ambulance. They pick up "signals of inflammation" and immediately move to the site of the lesion. Inflammatory reactions can occur as a result of burns, wounds, ulcers, injuries, etc. A decrease in the level of neutrophils occurs as a result of the presence of a virus or parasitic infestations in the body.
Kinds
Neutrophilic granulocytes in the blood are divided into two types according to the shape of the nucleus:
- Band neutrophilic leukocytes - have the form of a horseshoe-shaped nucleus, are considered immature or young neutrophils.
- Segmented neutrophilic granulocytes are a mature form of a neutrophil having a segmental core. They are also called "heroic", because when they meet with microbes, they absorb them and die.
In order to determine the state of the human body, specialists compare the percentage of mature and young neutrophils. It is known that in newborns there is an increased number of stab neutrophils, but later such cells are replaced by segmented representatives. And after three weeks of the child’s life, the balance between the mature and young cells is equalized.
Norm
The norm of neutrophilic leukocytes in the blood differs by age criteria, but by gender there are no differences.
The table of norms is presented below.
| Age | Average rate |
| Stab neutrophils | Segmented neutrophils |
| Newborns / babies | from 1 to 5% | from 27 to 55%. |
| Children under 5 years old | from 1 to 5% | from 20 to 55% |
| Children under the age of 15 | from 1 to 4% | from 40 to 60% |
| Adults | The general indicator is from 45 to 70% |
In order to determine the amount of neutrophil in the blood, doctors prescribe a detailed blood test.
Rhinocytogram
A rhinocytogram is such a study, which is carried out using a smear from the nasal cavity to clarify the inflammatory processes of the nose or other diseases. Especially such a diagnosis is important to prevent the progression of allergic rhinitis.
So, what will this study reveal:
- an allergic cause of the inflammatory process of the nose;
- conduct diagnostics to screen out other causes of rhinitis;
- prevent the progression of allergic reactions;
- choose the right treatment on time;
- to prevent the development of complications.
Before conducting such a diagnosis, you should not rinse your nose or use other means for it.
According to the results of a study of the ratio of eosinophils and neutrophilic white blood cells in a nasal swab, you can determine the intensity of an allergy or infection:
- If there are more neutrophils in the microflora, it means that there are bacterial infections in the nasal cavity and in the whole body. An increased level of neutrophils is especially characteristic during an acute illness.
- If there are more eosinophils (more than 10%), then a person has exacerbated allergic reactions.
- Excess neutrophils and eosinophils indicate allergic rhinitis, which was complicated by secondary infections.
- A small number or even the absence of neutrophils and eosinophils will indicate the presence of vasomotor rhinitis.
Pathological causes of low neutrophils
Reduced neutrophilic white blood cells in a smear may be due to:
- peptic ulcer disease;
- various viral diseases;
- bacterial infections;
- purulent inflammation;
- anemia
- protozoal infections;
- agranulocytosis;
- typhus, etc.
Not only diseases can lead to a decrease in neutrophils in the blood, but also the condition of the person himself:
- after the introduction of the vaccine;
- due to chemotherapy;
- as a result of a serious illness;
- with drug therapy;
- due to anaphylactic shock;
- after radiation therapy;
- due to living in a poor environmental area.
In addition, there are a number of other factors that can affect the level of neutrophilic leukocytes: excessive physical activity or an inborn feature (the level of neutrophils from birth is below normal).
Pathological causes of elevated neutrophils
Elevated neutrophilic white blood cells in cytology may mean that there is an inflammatory process in the body. The latter in appearance are generalized and localized. Generalized is the defeat of the entire body by such severe infections as, for example, cholera and sepsis. Localized inflammations are inflammations that are concentrated in one place or part of the human body, for example: tonsillitis, purulent wounds, pyelonephritis, pneumonia, etc. An increased level of neutrophils is observed as a result of such pathologies:
- diabetes mellitus;
- burns;
- cancerous growths;
- dermatitis and other skin diseases;
- genitourinary disorders;
- gangrene
- exposure and damage to toxic substances of the body.
Exceeding the norm in the indicators of neutrophils in the blood may be a temporary manifestation, which was caused by external factors. These include psycho-emotional stress, stress, excessive physical exertion, the introduction of a vaccine or other medications. In order for the test results to be as reliable as possible, you need to get rid of all these factors before laboratory diagnosis.
Due to various kinds of diseases and viruses, the chemical elements in the blood change, which allows doctors to determine the exact disease using analyzes. Neutrophilic granulocytes can be elevated due to a variety of reasons, but the fact that there is a deviation from the norm forces you to undergo a full examination of the human body. Such diagnostics are carried out taking into account all possible factors that negatively affect the body.
Features of the neutropenia process
Neutropenia is a condition where neutrophilic white blood cells are lowered in the blood. It has already been said above that neutrophils react to foreign bodies in the body and in every way protect and contain immunity in order. That is, when neutrophils detect an infection in the body, they form a “block” around the inflammation, thereby creating obstacles to the further spread of foreign agents. The result of such a struggle of neutrophilic leukocytes and infection will be the formation of pus in the wound, inflammatory and intoxication syndrome.
A disease can occur secretly if a person initially has neutropenia, but because of this, the infection can spread throughout the body and lead to sepsis. The first clinical manifestations of neutropenia can be:
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- purulent tonsillitis;
- osteomyelitis;
- abscess;
- sepsis.
Those patients who are prone to neutropenia should avoid contact with other sick people, and they are not recommended to be in a place with a large crowd of people. Every year it is necessary to carry out planned prevention of seasonal diseases. In addition, microbes that are completely safe for the average person can adversely affect the health status of patients with neutropenia.
Neutrophilia treatment
If neutrophilic white blood cells are elevated (from a nose in a smear, for example), first you need to identify the reason why this happens. This should be done, since there are no direct means that will contribute to the reduction of neutrophils.
The following is a list of actions in case neutrophilia is observed (increased neutrophil count):
- It is imperative to visit a general practitioner and provide him with test results, as well as talk about the presence of certain symptoms.
- In order to confirm the reliability of the tests, you need to retake them, while observing all the rules of preparation for diagnosis.
- If neutrophilia is still confirmed, then the next step will be a complete diagnosis of the body to identify inflammatory diseases.
- After a detailed diagnosis, specialists, in accordance with the disease, prescribe drug therapy:
- antibiotics
- immunostimulants;
- sedatives;
- corticosteroids;
- purification of blood from excess white blood cells.
Treatment for neutropenia
If neutrophilic white blood cells in a smear for cytology are below normal in the same way as in the case described above, the cause must be determined. But very often after a person has suffered an infection and recovered, neutrophils begin to recover themselves. As a rule, treatment for neutropenia is aimed at getting rid of primary factors. These types of drugs are usually prescribed:
- leukopoiesis stimulants (moderate effect);
- Pentoxyl (moderate effect);
- "Methyluracil" (moderate effect);
- "Filgrastim" (strong effect);
- "Lenograstim" (strong effect).
Who to contact?
If there are deviations from the norm in the analyzes, you should contact the following doctors:
- therapist;
- immunologist;
- hematologist
- allergist.
When accumulating neutrophilic white blood cells, doctors can not only prescribe therapy, but also recommend that you follow the following instructions:
- stop drinking alcohol and smoking;
- healthy sleep;
- the correct daily routine;
- drink about 2 liters of water per day;
- go in for sports;
- eliminate stress and other emotional stress;
- rational nutrition (5 times a day) in small portions;
- the use of vitamins.