Eosinophils - are special immune cells, a type of white blood cells. At the core of eosinophils usually has two blades and cytoplasm with about 200 large granules that contain enzymes and proteins with different functions (some of which are still unknown).
Eosinophils are formed exclusively in the bone marrow, where they spend about eight days - the whole process of maturation and then move into the blood vessels. They move through the blood vessels for about 8-12 hours, until, finally, do not fall into specific tissues, where they will stay for one or two weeks. Interleukin 5 (IL-5), apparently, it is the major growth factor for eosinophils.
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Functions of eosinophils varied, some of them are very similar to the functions of other white blood cells. They are involved in numerous inflammatory processes, particularly associated with allergic reactions. In addition, eosinophils have certain physiological role in the formation of organs (such as the development of the breast after delivery).
Among the functions of eosinophils: movement in the area where there is inflammation, intercepting potentially hazardous substances, cell killing, antiparasitic and antibacterial activity. Eosinophils can bring both benefit and harm. It often protects the body from potentially harmful microorganisms, but in some cases, e.g., Loeffler's disease, are associated with abnormal.
Norm
Normally eosinophils represent about 1-6% of all leukocytes; diameter - 12-17 microns. They are found in the bone marrow, and brain, in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract, ovaries, uterus, spleen, and lymph nodes; no eosinophils in the lungs, skin, esophagus and other internal organs - under normal conditions. The presence of eosinophils in the latter organs, usually a sign of illness. Eosinophils live in the bloodstream for 8-12 hours, and tissues in the absence of stimulation - 8-12 days.
Increased levels of eosinophils in the blood (usually considered to be above normal level of more than 500 eosinophils per microliter) called eosinophilia. This disorder is most typical for people with intestinal parasitic infections, rheumatoid arthritis, and malignancies such as Hodgkin's disease. Additionally, eosinophilia is observed in some skin diseases, Addison disease, and some other diseases; It is also associated with the use of certain drugs, such as penicillin.
For the treatment of diseases caused by eosinophils, are used:
- Corticosteroids - they quickly reduce the level of eosinophils in the blood;
- Monoclonal antibody therapy.
White blood cells and their function in the human body
White blood cells (leukocytes) fulfill a protective function, but it is not the same cells, they are divided into groups, each of which does its job. First of all, they are divided into granulocytes (in their cytoplasm clearly visible graininess) agranulocytes and which have a grain. Granulocytes, in turn, are divided into:
- Neutrophils - their primary function - protection against infection by ingestion of infection increases the number of them;
- eosinophils - protection against foreign protein, their number increases in allergic conditions;
- basophils - and neutralize foreign protein and are involved in blood clotting.
Agranulocytes divided into cells (which are responsible for all immunological reactions, for example, for the production of antibodies to infectious agents), and monocytes (large cells that absorb cell debris and small foreign bodies).
Structure and function of eosinophils
Eosinophils are cells with a large nucleus, consisting of two or three segments. Around the nucleus is the cytoplasm, which has grain that could well eosin stained in pink and orange (from slightly pink to copper-colored). The eosinophils contain enzymes capable of dissolving the foreign proteins in the grain - a biologically active substance prostaglandins. In addition, they contain glycogen (in its decay energy generated), which serves as an energy source when lack of oxygen in the body, for example, in areas of inflammation.
The main function of eosinophils - a struggle with a foreign protein: eosinophils absorb it and dissolved by means of its enzymes.
Increasing the number of blood eozinofolov
In general, the analysis of blood eosinophil count in the percent of all white blood cells. Normal blood eosinophils in adults is 20 - 300 cells in one ml of blood, yl 0 5 - 5% of all leukocytes. The increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood called eosinophilia. Hypereosinophilia (large increase in the number of eosinophils) is considered a condition in which the content of eosinophils in the blood is 15% or more.
Eosinophilia occurs as a result of increased production of eosinophils in the bone marrow - a protective reaction of the body in response to the receipt of blood products in the foreign protein. This granularity of eosinophilic released prostaglandins having antihistamine activity (histamine - the main substance released during allergic reactions).
There are reactive eosinophilia (occurs in response to some situation), and eosinophilia, resulting in diseases of the blood. By Eosinophils are reactive eosinophilia at helminths (worm infestations), allergic conditions, taking certain medications (drug eosinophilia). Sometimes eosinophilia occurs in healthy people, known to family eosinophilia.
A large number of eosinophils in the blood appears in a number of diseases of the blood, such as chronic myelogenous leukemia (blood cancer). Eosinophilia appears as cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, genital organs, thyroid gland
The thyroid gland - is responsible for your hormones
, Kidneys, particularly in the presence of metastases
Metastasis - danger everywhere
in bone marrow.
Upon detection of eosinophilia, first of all, check the presence of worms in the body, and in cases of suspected tumor - a complete diagnostic evaluation.
Eosinophilia in children
In newborn infants, the content of eosinophils in the blood normally is 0, 5 - 8% of all leukocytes in older children, it does not exceed 5%. There are reactive eosinophilia, hypereosinophilic syndrome and primary hereditary (familial) eosinophilia.
In children, the most frequent reactive eosinophilia, which normally occur with moderate (15%) increase in eosinophils in the blood. In infants cause of this condition can be intrauterine infection, allergic reactions to medication or cow's milk. In older children, it's worms
Worms - how dangerous they are?
Allergic diseases, malignant tumors, certain skin diseases, viral and bacterial infections during recovery, and other fungal diseases.
Primary hypereosinophilic syndrome rarely occurs in children and is characterized by lesions of the heart, lungs and brain eosinophilic infiltrates (seal tissue by soaking it eosinophils). This is a serious condition that can develop in various diseases.
Hereditary (Family) eosinophilia in children can occur in children at an early age in the form of attacks of asthmatic bronchitis
Bronchitis - protection if the body has malfunctioned
, Eosinophilic infiltration to the lung, skin and muscles to severe eosinophilia in the blood. The disease is chronic, not heavy.
When reactive eosinophilia special treatment is not required, it disappears as the treatment of the underlying disease. During prolonged reactive eosinophilia, primary eosinophilic syndrome and hereditary eosinophilia in connection with the possibility of heart disease appoint special agents that inhibit the formation of eosinophils.
Galina Romanenko
