Eosinophilia

Eosinophilia is a medical term for the increase in the number of eosinophils (short: eosinophils) in the blood picture. It is a special form of leukocytosis.

In histology, the term for structures is used, the red stain with eosin. Synonym for this dyeing is the term Azidophilie. See in particular under histology ( histology staining methods section ).

Functional Preliminary

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

The eosinophil count in the blood is an indicator of bone marrow production or the demand and consumption of these white blood cells. A number of diseases triggers a marked eosinophilic inflammatory response, but does not have to be visible in an eosinophilia in the blood. The reference values ​​for the normal number of eosinophils vary geographically significant. In southern regions of higher than normal levels in northern regions can be observed. An increased number of eosinophils is often a sign of incipient recovery and is therefore referred to as the " dawn of the recovery."

Causes

The most important cause of eosinophilia are allergies, especially IgE - induced hypersensitivity reactions. Even parasites ( eg, liver fluke, nematode or ectoparasites) can cause eosinophilia. Chronic granulomatous disease caused by fungi or foreign bodies are associated with an increase in eosinophils.

Some neoplasia such as mast cell tumors ( rarely lymphoma) can cause eosinophilia. The eosinophilic leukemia is a rare disease in cats.

Eosinophilia is often associated with basophilia.

Effects

Eosinophilia is usually a natural part of the immune response of the body, is thus not a disease but a symptom. Slipping away from this, then there is a hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Eosinopenia

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