Eosinophilia

Eosinophil granulocyte in a blood smear

Eosinophilia is a medical term for the increase in the number of eosinophilic granulocytes (short: eosinophils ) in the blood count . It is a special form of leukocytosis . The formal definition of eosinophilia calls for more than 0.5 × 10 ⁹ eosinophils / L (0.5 / nL) in the peripheral blood. If more than 1.5 × 10 ⁹ eosinophils / L are present over a longer period of time, one speaks of hypereosinophilia .

In histology , the term is used for structures that stain red with eosin . The term acidophilia is synonymous with this staining behavior . See in particular under histology (section staining methods in histology ).

Functional preliminary remarks

Eosinophils are produced in the bone marrow under the influence of interleukin -5 and behave similarly to neutrophils in terms of storage and release . Eosinophils are a major component in hypersensitivity reactions. When antigens from parasites or allergens bind to specific IgE on mast cells , they release histamine , which attracts eosinophils.

The eosinophil count in the blood is an indicator of bone marrow production or the need and consumption of these white blood cells. A number of diseases trigger a marked eosinophilic inflammatory response, which does not have to be visible in the blood as an eosinophilia. The reference values ​​for the normal number of eosinophils vary considerably geographically. In southern regions, higher normal values ​​are observed than in northern regions. An increased number of eosinophils is often a sign of the beginning of recovery and is therefore also known as the “ dawn of recovery ”.

causes

The most important cause of eosinophilia is allergies , especially IgE-related hypersensitivity reactions. Parasites (e.g. liver fluke , nematodes or ectoparasites ) can also trigger eosinophilia. Chronic granulomatous diseases caused by fungi or foreign bodies can also be associated with an increase in eosinophils.

Some neoplasms, such as mast cell tumors (and rarely lymphomas ), can cause eosinophilia. Eosinophilic leukemia is a rare disease in cats .

Eosinophilia is often associated with basophilia .

Effects

Eosinophilia is usually a natural part of the body's immune response, so it is not a disease but a symptom. If the increase is severe, hypereosinophilic syndrome may be present.

Eosinopenia

As eosinopenia a shortage in the number of eosinophils is called in the blood. Since glucocorticoids reduce the release of eosinophils from the bone marrow and promote cell death ( apoptosis ) of these cells in the tissues, administration of these hormones or increased production in the adrenal gland (e.g. during stress ) can lead to eosinopenia.

See also

• Monocytosis
• Neutrophilia

Individual evidence

1. ↑ P. Valent, AD Klion, HP Horny, F. Roufosse, J. Gotlib, PF Weller, A. Hellmann, G. Metzgeroth, KM Leiferman, M. Arock, JH Butterfield, WR blocking, K. Sotlar, P. Vandenberghe , T. Haferlach, HU Simon, A. Reiter, GJ Gleich: Contemporary consensus proposal on criteria and classification of eosinophilic disorders and related syndromes. In: J Allergy Clin Immunol. 130 (3), 2012, pp. 607-612.e9. doi: 10.1016 / j.jaci.2012.02.019

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