Unlike other granulocytes, they have a nucleus consisting of two lobes.

Eosinophil functions

All leukocytes are involved in protecting the body from foreign agents (microorganisms, chemicals, toxins). Eosinophils have a special task of cleaning cells.

By participating directly in the allergic reaction "antigen - antibody", they control the release of biologically active substances (histamine), prevent too strong a response to foreign proteins.

They have the ability to penetrate the vessel wall and move through the tissues to the damaged focus. Leaving the bloodstream, they “settle” in the tissues for a long time.

A lesser known function is prevention of blood clots. Eosinophils prevent platelets from sticking together.

Standards

When conducting a general blood test for eosinophils, they must pay attention and count them.

In the structure of leukocytes, eosinophils have a very small proportion - only from 0.5 to 5% in adults, in a child, fluctuations from 0.5 to 7% are permissible. The norm does not depend on gender, is the same for women and men, practically does not change with age.

In diagnosis, an increased level (eosinophilia) is important. Deviations in the direction of decrease are determined by quantitative cell counting simultaneously with a general decrease in leukocytes (leukopenia). The norm in absolute numbers ranges from 120 to 350 cells per μl.

Allergic rhinitis is the most common manifestation of hypersensitivity

Reasons for a decrease in the number of eosinophils

A decrease in the absolute values \u200b\u200bof eosinophils (eosinopenia) occurs in the physiological state:

• with hard physical work;
• in the morning;
• in women in the second half of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy.

It depends on the production of sex hormones by the ovaries and is used in diagnosis.

At the same time, their percentage with leukocytes remains normal.

A decrease to a complete absence in the blood means pathology with:

• inflammatory process in the body;
• in a state of shock;
• an operation transferred in the recent past;
• infectious disease;
• severe poisoning or intoxication with internal slags;
• during treatment with steroid hormonal agents (hydrocortisone, prednisolone);
• pregnancy and labor;
• any state of suppression of immunity (treatment with cytostatics, radiation therapy).

Changes in eosinophil levels during pregnancy are dual in nature

Reasons for the increase in eosinophils

The number of eosinophils increases under normal conditions at night, in women - in the first half of the menstrual cycle.

In autoimmune processes in bronchial asthma, polyarthritis, a significant excess of the level of eosinophils and the formation of infiltrates in tissues are important.

The level of eosinophils during pregnancy changes more sharply, nutrition, vitamin deficiency and the response to synthetic vitamins affect its recovery. Of great concern is the surge in Rh negative women. This may be a sign of the onset of Rh-conflict with the fetus.

Treatment

The problem of how to increase eosinophils does not exist, since treatment should be aimed at eliminating the general pathology. Eosins "return" from tissues to the bloodstream as they recover.

It is possible to lower the number of eosinophils with an established connection with the allergen by stopping contact, canceling the medicine. The allergic reaction will not recur if the patient avoids further exposure to this substance.

Severe reactions require urgent hospitalization and treatment with hormonal agents, antihistamines.

In the management of pregnancy for women with negative rhesus, the blood is regularly checked for antibodies. If a woman appears at a gynecologist for a long time, then up to 28 weeks she is injected with anti-rhesus serum. Repeatedly - after childbirth in the first three days if a positive analysis for the Rh factor is found in the fetal cord blood.

Blood eosinophils reflect the normal or disturbed balance of a person's existence with the external environment, the ability to protect. Only a doctor can correctly assess the deviation of the indicator.

Hello! My hands and feet itch periodically. When I scratch them, they swell. Therefore, I did a general blood test. Above normal eosinophils 12 and stab 9. Could itching be associated with this?

Of course, I am not a specialist, however, as far as I understand, eosinophils are an active participant in allergic reactions (such as Quincke's edema). Elevated eosinophils may be associated with this, but this is NOT the REASON. Look for allergens or other conditions that cause itching and swelling. "The riot police on the square are not the cause of the riots, but the riot police on the streets are associated with the riots."

Give feces for helminth eggs, with opisthorchiasis, such a condition and an increase in eosinophils are possible

Thank you so much for the excellent article, it is clear that you have invested a lot of your work. I did a blood test after the drug could be heard - Effezel applied the gel by mistake instead of the face to the groin area, since he simultaneously treated not only acne on the face, but also a rash in the groin area, and simply confused Triderm cream with Effezel inadvertently, and Triderm applied to the face, and Effezel in the groin area. In your article it is written: A decrease to the complete absence of eosinophils in the blood means pathology when: and I chose one of the suitable points for myself: during treatment with steroid hormonal agents (hydrocortisone, prednisolone), because Effezel gel contains harmonic prednisolone, which I I repeat by mistake applied to the groin area, which caused, as I understand it, a decrease from the norm of eosinophils, instead of the norm of 1.0 - 5.0%, I have 0.7% of them, while such bad symptoms as very strong sweating in the groin area, severe weakness and temperature , which has been holding for 3 weeks already, which for the first two increased in the morning from 36.8 degrees to 37.1; now for the third week, deterioration is visible and the temperature is already 37.1 degrees in the morning, by the evening it rises to 37.5 degrees; at the same time, unfortunately, the deterioration of health, general condition, more weakness, the temperature rises is clearly visible. Can you please tell me what other tests I can do besides a blood test in order to find out exactly which one, not presumably, I may have a disease in order to properly prescribe a course of treatment. Maybe an ultrasound scan of the groin area? If you will allow me to tell you where I can throw my complete blood count, but otherwise there is no decrease from the norm in the blood, which is very strange, because feeling unwell speaks of something completely different.

I have b / asthma with 10 years of experience. Almost constantly yellow-green sputum, odorless. I read on the Internet that such sputum may be of non-infectious origin, but due to the breakdown of eosinophils. Do I need to see a hematologist?

Try to donate blood for antibodies to worm antigens, this may be the original cause of your asthma.

Why do eosinophils increase in an adult? What does this mean?

Elevated eosinophils in an adult may indicate the presence of a disease in the body, so a specialist prescribes additional examinations to identify the cause of this process. An increased number of eosinophils in the blood or eosinophilia is not an independent pathology. It results from certain disorders and diseases.

Eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) are non-dividing granulocytes that are continuously produced in the bone marrow

Why does the level of eosinophils rise?

Elevated eosinophils in an adult cause the following reasons:

In rare cases, increased eosinophils in patients diagnosed with tuberculosis. Also, the violation occurs in people with vegetative-vascular dystonia.

Elevated eosinophil symptoms and diagnosis

For elevated eosinophils in an adult, the following symptoms are characteristic:

• nausea and vomiting;
• poor appetite;
• temperature increase;
• swollen lymph nodes;
• pain in the muscles;
• swelling of the face;
• rash;
• weight loss;
• joint pain;
• diarrhea;

Diarrhea is one of the symptoms of elevated eosinophils in an adult

An increase in eosinophils in the patient's blood is diagnosed using the following research methods:

1. Complete blood count: detects high levels of eosinophils, but does not determine the final diagnosis.
2. Blood chemistry.
3. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
4. Analysis of urine and feces.
5. X-rays and other additional tests to confirm the diagnosis.

After the doctor has determined the cause of the increase in the number of eosinophils, he prescribes a course of treatment for the disease that provoked this phenomenon.

Note! Eosinophils can reside not only in the lymph, but also in tissues. This localization is characteristic of pulmonary eosinophilia. This disease occurs with allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma.

Occasionally, increased levels of eosinophils occur in women during pregnancy. This sign should alert the patient, as it can signal an existing intestinal infection. In this case, it is problematic to treat helminthic infestations, since all drugs are toxic and have a negative effect on the fetus. In addition to eosinophilia, a pregnant woman can be diagnosed with pyelonephritis and other serious renal diseases. All these factors often cause premature birth.

Nuance! A blood test should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Alcohol, citrus fruits and sweets should not be consumed for 2 days before the examination.

Eosinophils and Lymphocytes

Eosinophils, together with lymphocytes, rise during the virus in patients diagnosed with chronic allergies. The same rate is found in people taking antibiotics and sulfonamides.

It should be noted that the norm for eosinophils is 1-5% of the total volume of all types of leukocytes. The norm does not depend on the sex and age of a person, therefore, it is the same for an adult patient and a child.

The rate of eosinophils does not depend on the sex and age of a person

The following pathologies lead to an increase in the level of lymphocytes in the blood:

• infectious diseases;
• allergic reactions;
• benign and malignant tumors;
• autoimmune disorders.

In children, an increase in eosinophils is manifested during scarlet fever. A common case for people of different ages is mononucleosis - a change in the number of monocytes with eosinophils. This process occurs in patients during fungal pathologies and viral infections, as well as in syphilis and sarcoidosis.

Why does the level of eosinophils decrease?

The following disorders can reduce the number of eosinophils:

• purulent pathologies;
• inflammatory process in the body;
• painful shock;
• trauma;
• heavy metal poisoning;
• diseases of the thyroid or adrenal glands.

A reduced level of eosinophils is observed in patients on the first day of myocardial infarction. The phenomenon is also typical for people with chronic stress.

In patients with severe leukemia, the level of eosinophils decreases to 0.

A sharp decrease in the number of eosinophils may indicate the development of dysentery, typhoid fever, or acute appendicitis.

The volume of eosinophils tends to change in patients with Down syndrome and in those people who have disturbed sleep and rest.

With increased eosinophils, you should consult a hematologist

How is the treatment carried out?

A hematologist is involved in the treatment of elevated eosinophils in adults. He selects an individual course of therapy, focusing on the disease that provoked an increase in eosinophils.

Treatment methods depend on the following factors:

• age;
• patient gender;
• type of pathology;
• the severity of the disease;
• general well-being;
• concomitant diseases.

In some cases, to eliminate eosinophilia, it is not the appointment of drugs that requires, but rather the abolition of certain medications taken.

If the patient has worms, treatment is carried out in several stages:

With worms, you need to drink a course of vitamins

With autoimmune pathologies, you cannot do without taking cytostatics.

If the patient has severe allergic reactions, he needs urgent hospitalization and therapy using hormonal drugs or antihistamines.

If a woman has a negative rhesus, then during pregnancy she should regularly donate blood to check for antibodies. If she came to the doctor late, then up to 28 weeks she is injected with anti-rhesus serum. Re-manipulation is carried out in the first 3 days after childbirth when a positive test for Rh factor is detected in the baby's umbilical cord blood.

During pregnancy, women are prescribed the following medicines:

• pain relievers;
• drugs to relieve puffiness;
• antiallergic medicines.

The course of therapy can be of different duration, regularly adjusted and replaced in case of ineffectiveness. Often, in combination with drug treatment, pregnant women are prescribed a special diet, according to which foods that provoke allergies should be excluded. Sometimes the expectant mother needs to stop taking certain medications.

Granulocytic leukocytes include: neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils

What are neutrophils?

Neutrophils are blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow. They protect the body from bacteria, viruses and fungal diseases. If harmful substances enter the body, then it begins to react with an increase in the level of neutrophils. This process is called neutropenia.

Experts identify 2 types of neutrophils:

Decreased neutrophils for the following reasons:

1. A viral infection that is difficult for the patient.
2. Radiation exposure.
3. Anemia of a different nature.
4. Inflammatory pathology;
5. A person's stay in hazardous ecological zones.
6. Taking some medications (Penicillin, Analgin and others).

Important! With acute neutropenia, which appeared after chemotherapy, the likelihood of catching an infection in a patient is higher than in chronic neutropenia.

In most cases, neutropenia is caused by the use of immunosuppressants and cytostatics. Such drugs are used during the course of therapy for malignant tumors and pathologies of an autoimmune nature.

Characteristics of eosinophilic leukocytes

Eosinophilic leukocytes are produced in the bone marrow from a single progenitor cell. The production of this population is accelerated by the release of interleukins IL4, IL5 by T-lymphocytes.

Mature eosinophils are stained with aniline dyes (eosin), for which they got their name. The size of the mature cell form is 12-17 microns.

Life cycle

• population formation occurs in the bone marrow within 34 hours;
• mature forms enter the bloodstream, where it is about 2-10 hours;
• then they migrate to the submucosal spaces - the skin, intestinal mucosa, respiratory tract, oral cavity, paranasal sinuses;
• function in tissues for 8 - 10 days.

In increased quantities, eosinophils are concentrated in the skin tissues, mucous membranes, where they are contained 100 times more than in the blood. They are found in moderate quantities in the tissues of the spleen, mammary glands, thymus, lymph nodes, uterus.

The total blood flow of circulating blood contains no more than 1% of all human eosinophilic leukocytes.

Features of the structure

Eosinophil carries on its surface receptors (antigens) involved in immune processes. The cellular cytoplasm contains granules filled with enzymes, which, if necessary, are delivered to the site of inflammation and are released into the extracellular space.

Surface antigens (AH) of eosinophilic leukocytes are able to interact with immunoglobulins IgG, IgE, components of the blood complement system C3, C4.

The rapid increase in the concentration of eosinophils in the focus of inflammation is explained by their ability to:

• to phagocytosis - the property of "devouring" small particles of destroyed cell walls of microorganisms;
• to chemotaxis - directed movement into the inflammation focus under the action of eotaxin protein, monocyte chemotaxis proteins, lymphocyte chemotaxis protein.

Under the influence of chemotaxis proteins, eosinophils can accumulate in the inflammatory focus in huge quantities, as, for example, in allergies. Elevated eosinophils show that pathogenic microorganisms, antigenic complexes, foreign toxic proteins are present in the blood.

Eosinophils are responsible for the reactivity of the immune system, phagocytizing the antigen-antibody immune complexes formed during immune reactions in the blood, which serves as a way to regulate inflammation in the lesion focus.

Due to surface receptors and active compounds contained in the granules of the cytoplasm, as well as the ability to phagocytosis and chemotaxis, eosinophil:

• is a factor of local immunity of the mucous membranes - it does not allow the penetration of foreign antigens into the general bloodstream, surrounds and destroys them in the submucosal spaces;
• enhances the immune allergic response of an immediate type, which is manifested by Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis;
• participates in an allergic reaction of a delayed type - increased rates accompany bronchial asthma, hay rhinitis, drug intolerance, atopic dermatitis;
• controls the work of basophils and mast cells, neutralizes the histamine released by them;
• participates in autoimmune processes, which is manifested, for example, cold urticaria;
• kills helminths and their larvae.

Norm, deviations from the norm

The norm of eosinophils in the blood in adults is 0.02 - 0.44 * 10 9 / l. The relative amount of eosinophils in the leukocyte blood count is normal 0.5% - 5%.

A condition where the eosinophils are more than 5% elevated is called eosinophilia. If eosinophils in the blood of an adult are elevated, reaching values \u200b\u200bgreater than 6 - 8%, this indicates the possibility of infection, rheumatological disorders, and autoimmune processes.

When eosinophils in an adult are increased by more than 15-20% in a blood test, this condition is called hypereosinophilia, which is accompanied by a massive accumulation (infiltration) of eosinophilic leukocytes in the focus of inflammation. The tissues of the target organ, in which the inflammation has occurred, is, as it were, saturated with eosinophils.

The reason why eosinophils in adults are increased in hypereosinophilia or hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a change in the ratio of lymphocytes in the blood. The content of B-lymphocytes decreases, and the number of T-lymphocytes in these conditions increases, which stimulates the production of eosinophilic cells in the bone marrow.

HPPs include diseases characterized by increased rates of eosinophils - eosinophilic inflammation of the lungs, heart (endocarditis), neurological disorders, leukemia.

Eosinopenia is a condition when the number of eosinophilic granulocytes is less than 0.5%, or in absolute terms - less than 0.02 * 10 9 / l. For more information about the normal values \u200b\u200bof eosinophils in the blood in adults and children, read the article "Norms of eosinophils".

When eosinophils are elevated

The penetration of an infection, a foreign protein (antigen) into the body triggers the activation of eosinophilic leukocytes. This stimulating effect is the reason for the massive migration of this population to the affected tissues.

An increase in the concentration of eosinophils in the blood is achieved by accelerating the maturation time of the cells of this population. The reasons for the increase in indicators in the general blood test for eosinophils may be:

• allergies of immediate and delayed type;
• infestation with worms - roundworms, echinococci, fascias, opisthorchomas, trichinella;
• infectious respiratory, intestinal diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi;
• collagen diseases - periarteritis nodosa, thrombovasculitis, Behcet's disease, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, lupus, fasciitis;
• rheumatological diseases - arthrosis, gout, arthropathy;
• scarlet fever;
• lymph node tuberculosis;
• esonophilic gastroenteritis, pneumonia, myalgia;
• chorea;
• churg-Strauss syndrome;
• ulcerative colitis;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• oncology - eosinophilic lymphogranulomatosis, myeloid leukemia, sarcidosis, erythremia, cancer of the liver, uterus, cervix, ovary.

When a woman has elevated eosinophils in her blood during pregnancy, this means that she is developing an allergic reaction. Allergies can occur both to food and to the invasion of viruses or bacteria with influenza or acute respiratory infections, or infection with worms.

Allergy symptoms are difficult to recognize if this condition appears in a woman for the first time, and it is masked by the features of pregnancy - toxicosis, nausea, skin rashes.

Changes in the leukocyte formula

An increase in the concentration of eosinophils is accompanied by changes in the content of other cells of the immune system. Both eosinophils and lymphocytes, elevated at the same time, are found in the blood when infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, helminths. A similar picture is observed with allergic dermatoses, treatment with antibiotics and sulfonamides (biseptol), scarlet fever.

Above the norm in the analysis of blood eosinophils and monocytes with mononucleosis, viral, fungal infections. Increased test rates for syphilis, tuberculosis.

Leukocytosis, increased eosinophils, the appearance of atypical lymphocytes in the blood is observed in DRESS syndrome - a systemic allergic reaction to taking a drug. It can take up to 2 months between taking the drug and the appearance of the first signs of an extensive allergic reaction of the body to the drug.

The symptoms of DRESS syndrome are:

• enlarged lymph nodes;
• skin rashes;
• temperature rise;
• prostration.

If the drug is not canceled, there may be lesions with granulocytes accumulated in the tissues of such organs as the lungs, liver, kidneys, and the digestive tract.

Complications with elevated eosinophils

The action of factors that stimulate the formation of eosinophils can cause an exaggerated response, a kind of "inflammatory" blood reaction - hypereosinophilia.

The number of eosinophils in hypereosinophilia can be increased hundreds of times compared to the norm. Leukocytes in a similar state are increased to 50 * 10 9 / l, while 60 - 90% of the total number of white blood cells may be eosinophils.

When proteolytic enzymes are released from granules, not only pathogenic microorganisms are damaged, but also their own cells. First of all, cells of the inner lining of blood vessels (endothelium) of the entire circulatory system are affected.

Severe eosinophilia lesions

The action of enzymes that enter the bloodstream from granulocytes provokes inflammation, which causes tissue cells in the lesion to die. With a massive accumulation of granulocytes, the damage is so significant that it disrupts the work of the target organ.

This means that if eosinophils in the blood are elevated for a long time, and their indicators are much higher than normal, then such vital organs as, for example, the heart, suffer. Signs of damage to the endocardium and myocardium are found very often in conditions associated with prolonged increased levels of eosinophilic leukocytes in the blood.

Such a condition, when eosinophils are increased in the blood test, in children speaks of helminthic invasion, allergies, in adults it means that inflammation develops in the joints, skin, and the respiratory system.

With the accumulation of an increased number of granulocytes in the lung tissue, eosinophilic pneumonia develops. This condition has a high risk of pulmonary edema.

For children, the typical causes of increased test scores are atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. The increased content of granulocytes in tissues and blood in both adults and children has a damaging effect on the central nervous system.

According to the level of increase in eosinophilic granulocytes in the blood, it is not always possible to correctly assess the degree of tissue damage. In tissues, the number of eosinophilic granulocytes can be significantly higher than a blood test shows.

What do elevated eosinophils mean in a blood test in adults?

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell stained with an acidic pigment eosin. What are eosinophils in a blood test and what function do they perform? These are segmented formations that can seep through the walls of blood vessels and move inside tissues, heading to the focus of inflammation, injury or the introduction of a foreign agent. An increase in their level in a blood test is an alarming signal.

Eosinophilia and its causes

Important! An increase in eosinophils is considered to be the level of 7% of the total number of white cells. There is a mild form, in which analyzes show up to 10%. The average form is considered 10-15%, and everything above is referred to as severe.

When eosinophils are above normal, what does it mean? Definitely - the course of the pathological process in the body.

Eosinophils in the blood

The reasons for the increase in eosinophils in an adult are associated with the following factors:

• Allergy. It is a clinical symptom of bronchial asthma and a number of dermatitis.
• Invasive pathologies - ascariasis, opisthorchiasis, giardiasis.
• Infectious diseases and pathologies of the digestive chain at the stage of recovery.
• Cancer neoplasms, accompanied by tissue destruction. Eosinophils react to waste products as foreign proteins.
• Respiratory diseases.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Eosinophils are elevated in an adult and a child if certain medications are used. Antibiotics, salicylates, sulfonamides, iodates have an allergic effect on the body, which provokes eosinophilia.
• Food allergy. It develops with the use of some, often seasonal, vegetables, berries, mushrooms, fish and seafood.
• Allergic conditions during pregnancy, during critical days.

Important! The consumption of citrus fruits before donating blood for a standard test shows eosinophilia.

Allergy causes an increase in eosinophils

Indications for donating blood

The detection of elevated eosinophils is necessary when making a differential diagnosis for the following diseases:

General blood count table

Important! You need to donate blood for analysis in the morning on an empty stomach. For two days before the examination, they refrain from sweets, citrus fruits and alcohol.

High eosinophils are associated with the onset of bronchial asthma, atypical dermatitis, and allergic eye lesions. The same symptoms are observed in middle ear pathologies, autoimmune anomalies, permanent fatigue syndrome, infections and invasions of various etiologies.

ECB has neurotoxicity, which aggravates the severity of itching in dermatitis. A positive correlation was established between the growth of ECP and the intensity of skin allergies. In the process of recovery, the level of ECP will return to normal.

Often, the test results show an increased number of lymphocytes in adults and the possible reasons for this deviation can be found in more detail in the article on our portal.

A blood test is taken in the morning and on an empty stomach

Treatment methods

Protecting the body, eosinophils, in case of exceeding their absolute content to certain values, themselves become dangerous to the body. In places where eosinophils are concentrated, foci of inflammation form and serious diseases develop. The question arises: how to lower the number of eosinophils to a safe level?

Eosinophilia treatment is the business of a hematologist. Before starting treatment, the hematologist finds out: why are eosinophils elevated? Additional types of diagnostics are prescribed, including analysis of feces and urine. Depending on the situation, tests for the functioning of the kidneys and liver, examination for the presence of invasions, allergens, and connective tissue pathologies are carried out. Pregnant women are examined with special care.

If an accurate diagnosis is made and the cause of the disease can be eliminated, the level of eosinophils normalizes synchronously with the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease.