How does eosinophilia occur?
Why does the body need eosinophilic granulocytes?
The eosinophilic granulocytes play an important role in the body. They help control allergic reactions. They are also given a high priority in combating parasites. To check the number of these white blood cells, doctors do a differential blood count . For this they need a blood sample from the patient.
As a rule, the eosinophilic granulocytes make up up to four percent of the white blood cells. Their number varies between 50 and 250 cells per microliter of blood. The reference value specified in the laboratory plays a key role here. In the differential blood count, the physician recognizes the increase in eosinophilic granulocytes without any problems. If the number is far above the normal value, the affected patients suffer from eosinophilia. The opposite of this disorder is called eosinopenia.
What is eosinophilia?
The synonym for eosinophilia is eosinophilic granulocytosis. In hematology, the technical term means an increase in eosinophilic granulocytes within the peripheral blood. Eosinophilia usually occurs in connection with basophilia. Doctors use this term to describe an increase in basophilic granulocytes . This disease also belongs to the category of granulocytosis.
What causes are possible?
Numerous factors can be considered as causes for an increase in eosinophilic granulocytes. Allergic reactions are mainly responsible for the increase in these white blood cells. The eosinophilic granulocytes support the body in allergic reactions to the source of the reaction. If the organism sees a foreign substance as a danger, the eosinophilic granulocytes increase. As part of this granulocytosis, the body increasingly produces these cells.
Possible allergies that cause this reaction appear in the form of:
- Urticaria,
- Bronchial asthma
- and allergic vasculitis.
Parasitoses also lead to an increased concentration of eosinophilic granulocytes. The technical term stands for diseases that trigger various parasites. A well-known example is malaria. Trichinosis causes an increase in eosinophilic granulocytes. The Trichinella spiralis virus infects the human body. Furthermore, helminth infestation leads to eosinophilia.
Taking medication also influences the concentration of eosinophilic granulocytes. A 2012 study shows eosinophilia as a biomarker of cortisone therapy control . Furthermore, frequent intake of ASA leads to this form of granulocytosis. Acetyl-salicylic acid increases the concentration of all types of granulocytes. Penicillin has a similar effect on the human body.
Autoimmune diseases cause eosinophilia
Autoimmune diseases are another reason for the proliferation of eosinophilic granulocytes. In this case, the cells recognize the body’s own tissue as a foreign substance. In some cases, this triggers allergic reactions. Conditions that lead to eosinophilia include:
- das Sjögren’s Syndrome,
- scleroderma (diarrhea),
- the Churg-Strauss syndrome
- and rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis rheumatica).
In addition, dermatoses are among the causes of eosinophilia. Pemphigus vulgaris and psoriasis are mainly to blame for the proliferation of the special leukocytes . In the same case, malignancies influence the concentration of eosinophilic granulocytes. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and metastatic carcinomas play a role here. In addition, chronic myeloid leukemia belongs in this area.
Hormonal dysregulation also causes a sudden increase in eosinophilic granulocytes. These disorders include, for example, Addison’s disease and thyrotoxicosis. Furthermore, eosinophilia occurs in numerous infectious diseases. It is a sign of convalescence. In the case of measles or scarlet fever, the eosinophilic granulocytes multiply within the incubation period.
The increase in eosinophilic granulocytes summarized
If there is an increase in eosinophilic granulocytes, doctors speak of eosinophilia. The concentration of these white blood cells rises above the normal value. This means that there are more than 50 to 250 eosinophilic granulocytes in one microliter of blood. Various diseases can be the cause. However, taking medication also leads to a change in the concentration of this type of granulocyte.
