A clinical blood test contains many indicators characterizing the state of the body as a whole and its individual systems or organs. A change in the basic characteristics of the blood indicates the presence of an inflammatory process or pathology.
What are neutrophils?
Neutrophils are a separate subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. These cells are stained with both basic dyes and eosin. While basophils are stained only with basic dyes, and eosinophils are stained only with eosin.
In neutrophils in large quantities contains the enzyme myeloperoxidase. There is a heme-containing protein in this enzyme. It is he who provides a greenish tint to neutrophil cells. Therefore, pus and discharge, which contains many neutrophils, also have a greenish color and indicate bacterial inflammation. With viral diseases and damage to the body by helminths, these blood cells are powerless.
Neutrophils support the immune system and help protect the body against viruses and infections. White blood cells form in the bone marrow at a rate of 7 million cells per minute. In the blood they circulate for 8-48 hours, and after that they migrate to tissues and organs, where they provide protection against infections and bacteria.
Stages of neutrophil development
Neutrophils are microphages that can only absorb small foreign particles in the body. There are six forms of neutrophil development - myeloblast, promyelocyte, myelocyte, metamyelocyte, stab (immature forms) and segmented cell (mature form).
When an infection enters the body, neutrophils are released from the bone marrow in an immature form. By the number of immature neutrophils in the blood, the presence and severity of the inflammatory process can be determined.
The main functions of neutrophils
Neutrophils are the cells that protect the body. Their main function is the absorption (phagocytosis) of bacteria and viruses, which are dangerous for the human body. These cells can reach damaged tissues and absorb bacteria, previously destroying them with their specific enzymes.
After absorption of bacteria, neutrophils are destroyed, secreting enzymes. These enzymes help soften surrounding tissues. Thus, at the site of their destruction, a purulent abscess will form, which consists of neutrophils and their residues.
In addition to phagocytosis, neutrophils are able to move, adhere to other molecules (adhesion), and also respond to chemical stimuli, heading towards them and absorbing foreign cells (chemotaxis).
Neutrophils: the norm in a blood test
Normally, in an adult healthy person, the number of immature (stab) neutrophils in the blood should vary from 1 to 6% of all white blood cells. The number of segmented (mature) cells is in the range of 47-72%.
In childhood, the number of neutrophils can vary in different age periods:
- In a newborn baby on the first day, this indicator is 1-17% of immature cells and 45-80% of mature neutrophils.
- Neutrophils in a child under 1 year of age are normally: stab cells - 0.5-4%, and the concentration of mature neutrophils - 15-45%.
- Starting from the age of one year and up to 12 years, the immature neutrophil count in the blood ranges from 0.5 to 5%, and the number of segmented cells is 25-62%.
- From 13 to 15 years, the rate of stab neutrophils remains virtually unchanged 0.5-6%, and the number of mature cells increases and is in the range of 40-65%.
It should be noted that in pregnant women and nursing mothers, the number of neutrophils in the blood does not differ from the normal rate of an adult healthy person.
Increased amount of these cells in the blood
Neutrophils are kamikaze cells, they destroy foreign particles that enter the body, absorb and cleave them inside themselves, and then die.
The neutrophil count in the blood increases if there is an inflammatory process in the body, it reaches its highest values with purulent inflammations (abscesses, phlegmon). Neutrophilia provides increased protection of the body against viruses and infections.
Very often, neutrophilia is combined with an increase in the total number of leukocytes (leukocytosis). If immature stab forms of cells predominate in the blood test, it is necessary to look for the presence of an inflammatory process of a bacterial nature in the body.
It is important to note that after increased physical exertion, emotional stress, overeating or during pregnancy, neutrophils in the blood may slightly increase. In such cases, the balance of cells in the blood is restored on its own.
What diseases cause neutrophilia?
An increase in the level of neutrophils in the blood can be triggered by:
- localized or generalized inflammatory processes that were caused by acute bacterial infections;
- intoxication of the body, which affects the bone marrow (lead, alcohol);
- necrotic processes;
- malignant tumors that disintegrate;
- recent vaccination;
- intoxication of the body with bacterial toxins without direct infection.
When neutrophils are lowered in a blood test , lymphocytes are elevated - this indicates a recent and cured infectious disease.
Reduced neutrophils in the blood
Neutropenia (a decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood) indicates inhibition of hematopoietic function of the bone marrow. A similar pathology can be caused by the effect of antibodies on white blood cells, the influence of toxic substances and the circulation of certain immune complexes in the bloodstream. Most often, lowered neutrophils are a consequence of a decrease in natural immunity.
Neutropenia can have several forms of origin - of an obscure nature, acquired or congenital. In children of the first year of life, benign chronic neutropenia is often found. Until 2-3 years of age, this is considered the norm, but then the neutrophil count should align and comply with accepted standards.
What diseases cause a decrease in the concentration of neutrophils?
Neutropenia is characteristic of diseases such as:
- agranulocytosis (a sharp decrease in the number of cells);
- hypoplastic and aplastic anemia;
- diseases caused by protozoal infections (malaria, toxplasmosis);
- diseases caused by rickettsia (typhus);
- infectious diseases caused by bacteria (brucellosis, typhoid fever, paratyphoid);
- diseases of an infectious nature caused by viruses (measles, rubella, flu);
- generalized infectious processes caused by a severe course of inflammation in the body;
- hypersplenism (a decrease in the number of all blood cells due to their accumulation in an enlarged spleen or rapid destruction of cells);
- lack of body weight, exhaustion (cachexia);
- radiation exposure or radiation therapy;
- taking certain medications (sulfonamides, penicillin, chloramphenicol, analgesics and cytostatics).
Neutropenia can be temporary when it is caused by conventional antiviral therapy. In this case, the pathology does not require treatment, and blood counts are restored on their own after eliminating the viral infection.
If neutrophils are lowered for a long time, this indicates chronic diseases of the hematopoietic system. This phenomenon requires the immediate intervention of qualified doctors and the appointment of a thorough examination and effective treatment.
What to do in case of violation of the level of neutrophils?
If the parameters of neutrophils in the blood deviate from the norm, it is necessary to take the same measures as when changing the number of leukocytes (normalize the daily diet, avoid communication with sick people).
As a rule, the normalization of the level of neutrophils in the blood occurs due to the intake of vitamin complexes and drugs, which can eliminate the causes of imbalance. But all appointments should be made by a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable!
If the violations were caused by the therapy, then it is necessary to replace or completely exclude the use of drugs that suppress the production of neutrophils in the bone marrow. Neutrophils in an adult show how strong the body's natural defense is, so it is very important to maintain this rate in the norm and start the necessary therapy on time.