Eosinophils - one of the types of white blood cells, first mentioned in medical sources in the XIX century. The exotic name of these blood particles is associated with the Greek goddess of dawn named Eos. Staining the granules of these cells with eosin pinkish resembles the morning dawn. Intensive study of eosinophils begins only in the 60s of the XX century. White blood cells of this type function in tissues where they enter from the bloodstream, forming in the bone marrow. An indicator of the level of eosinophils can be found by donating blood for a clinical analysis with a leukocyte formula.
The norm is their level from 0 to 5%. An increase in eosinophils in the blood is a kind of reaction manifested by the body in the presence of foreign proteins or histamine in it. The functions of these blood particles are as follows:
· Participation in allergic reactions;
Phagocytic function;
Antihistamine function;
Antitoxic function.
The causes of eosinophilia (an increased content of white blood cells of this type) can be dermatoses, bronchial asthma, syphilis, rheumatism, diseases of the blood system (including malignant neoplasms). It can also be caused by frostbite, burns, tuberculosis, hypothyroidism, some endocrine diseases, taking antibiotics, adrenocorticotropic hormone or sulfa drugs.
However, the most frequently elevated levels of eosinophils are observed with food allergies and pharmaceuticals. These particles of blood are real fighters against allergens that enter the body. Eosinophils may be elevated in a child and in an adult. Usually in children, excess rates are quite common. Moreover, eosinophils are elevated in a child, as a rule, due to altered reactivity of the body. After all, their essential role is to protect against external factors of influence. Therefore, in the first place, the introduction of foreign substances into the circulatory system becomes the reason for the increase in white blood cells of this type.
By the way, there are cases when eosinophils are elevated in a child due to parasitic diseases (helminthic invasions, giardiasis).
Although, one must be aware that the absolute value of particles of a given species in the blood of even a healthy child undergoes constant fluctuations. Therefore, when eosinophils are elevated in a child, this factor should be taken into account. And if a high percentage of their content is found in the analysis for the leukocyte formula, it is worth retaking the blood after a while. Perhaps the indicator will return to normal.
If the cause of eosinophilia in a child, according to the results of laboratory tests, is as if worms or giardia have become, then a course of therapy for parasites should be given. And only after repeated retesting, you can be sure that the adverse factor has been eliminated, and the eosinophils have returned to normal.
But increasing their level to 20% is already regarded as hypereosinophilia. The reason for such sharp deviations in 25% of cases are all the same parasites: roundworms, trichinella, giardia. Cases when the indicator of the level of eosinophils rolls over 50% are not rare. Such numbers in the leukoformula are a signal of a check for opisthorchiasis, since it is this diagnosis at the early stage of the disease that provokes their highest level.
Tropical eosinophilia syndrome also has a parasitic nature. Its name is associated with the infection of the human body by worm larvae in a hot and humid climate with non-compliance with hygiene standards. The main signs of this syndrome: asthmatic cough, shortness of breath, pulmonary infiltrates and a sharp increase in eosinophils to 90%. All these manifestations are classified in medical science as a variety of filariasis (the entry into the body of filar larvae from dogs and monkeys).
By the way, in the process of diagnosing parasitic eosinophilia, it is useful to donate blood for serological testing (it determines antibodies to foreign substances). This is necessary because of the failure of ordinary laboratory tests.
According to recent scientific developments, another unfavorable factor contributes to the increase in eosinophils - the entry of staphylococcus into the child's body. You can find out about this by passing the appropriate tests. In addition, an elevated level of eosinophils may well be due to a lack of magnesium ions. There is only one way out in this situation - to undergo treatment with vitamins and minerals, making up for their deficiency. Thus, getting rid of eosinophilia is possible only after eliminating the underlying disease that caused it.