Eosinocytes – characteristics, functions, action and norms of eosinocytes [EXPLAINED]

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Eosinocytes are one of the types of white blood cells that make up our blood. Among other things, thanks to eosinocytes, our body is properly protected, because they are involved in the production of the immune response. How are eosinocytes built and what role do they play in the body? What are the norms of eosinocytes and what do their excess or deficiency indicate? What diseases can we suffer if the blood levels of eosinocytes are abnormal?

Blood and its components

Blood is a body fluid that consists of a liquid part, i.e. plasma, and cells, i.e. red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Blood circulates through the human body through the circulatory system, fulfilling a transport function and ensuring communication between various body systems. The total volume of blood that circulates in the adult human body is approx. 5 liters. This is about 8% of the total body weight. On average, men have about a liter of blood more than women.

Specialized blood cells are suspended in plasma. Plasma, or plasma, accounts for up to 55% of the blood volume. Plasma is 90% water. It is an aqueous solution of proteins, salts and low molecular weight chemical compounds. Plasma contains mainly phosphates and chlorides as well as calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium ions.

Blood cells make up about 45% of the blood volume. Among them, there are erythrocytes, leukocytes and thrombocytes. Erythrocytes are red blood cells and their most important task is to transport oxygen and carbon dioxide. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin and a protein that is responsible for attaching and transporting oxygen in the blood. Leukocytes are white blood cells whose primary function is the immune response. Leukocytes come in two forms as agranulocytes and granulocytes. Agranulocytes are monocytes and lymphocytes, while granulocytes include neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. The role of granulocytes, including eosinocytes, is a non-specific immune response. Thrombocytes are platelets that help blood to clot. An interesting fact is that the absolute number of individual blood elements varies between vertebrates. In humans, the correct values ​​are:

1. erythrocytes – 4,5 to 5,5 million per μl of blood;
2. leukocytes – 4 to 000 per μl of blood, including: neutrophils – 11 to 000 per μl of blood, eosinocytes – 2 to 500 per μl of blood, basophils – 7 to 500 per μl of blood, lymphocytes – 40 to 400 per μl of blood, monocytes 10 to 100 per μl of blood;
3. thrombocytes – 300 per μl of blood.

If you want to know more about blood components and their functions, read on: Blood – composition, functions, role in the body

What are eosinocytes?

Eosinocytes are also known as eosinophils, eosinophils, eosinophils, and Eo. As mentioned above, eosinocytes are a type of white blood cells that contain granularity in the cytoplasm. The name “eosinocytes” is associated with eosin, an acidic red dye that is used to stain basic cellular particles such as the cytoplasm, collagen fibers and secretory grains in cells. Thanks to eosin, eosinocytes take a brick-red color.

Eosinocytes are eosinophils that belong to the cells of the immune system. In the immune system, eosinocytes play a very important role in generating the immune response.

Eosinocytes are formed in the bone marrow from the so-called stem cells. When eosinocytes reach maturity, it takes about 5-6 days, they move into the blood and with it they reach the tissues of the respiratory tract, digestive system and skin. There are two types of eosinocytes depending on the degree of their activity: activated and resting. For example, in healthy people, activated eosinocytes account for about 10%, and in patients with asthma, about 30-60%.

Structure and operation of eosinocytes

Eosinocytes arise from a common stem cell in the bone marrow. These blood cells are very mobile and therefore reach the site of the immune-inflammatory reaction very quickly.

Eosinocytes in healthy people are blood cells with a density of 1,088, while less than 10% of blood cells have a density lower than 1,082. On the surface of the cell membrane of eosinocytes there are receptors for biologically active molecules. The number of these receptors increases in disease states.

The eosinocytes in our body interact with other important cells:

1. mastocyty – they are part of the connective tissue and are one of the first links in the atopic reaction;
2. kendothelial cells – release of mediators and the process of transmigration of eosinocytes through the walls of blood vessels;
3. epithelial cells – adhesion and adhesion process and transmigration of granulocytes;
4. neutrophil – stimulation of neutrophils to release superoxide anions and sensitization of other cells to substances from neutrophils;
5. lymphocytes – they are the source of the strongest chemotactic factors for eosinocytes.

When is it worth doing a blood count? Read on: Blood morphology – what is this test, what are the standards?

What role do eosinocytes play?

Eosinocytes play an important role in the human body. The main task of eosinocytes is to fight parasitic infections – destroy parasites, immunomodulation and participate in wound healing. Eosinocytes fight infections of such parasites as pinworms, trichinella, human roundworm and flukes.

The mature eosinocyte produces mediators. These are substances that are responsible for causing and maintaining inflammation in the body. This makes eosinocytes responsible for maintaining the immune barrier and regulating the allergic response. Upon contact with an allergenic allergen, eosinocytes secrete compounds that activate other cells in the immune system.

Summarizing, the physiological role of eosinocytes can be described in three points:

1. destruction of parasites – which indicates the cytotoxic properties of eosinocytes;
2. immunomodulation – the influence of mediators on the functions of other cells and the inactivation of some inflammatory mediators by compounds released by eosinocytes;
3. wound healing – shows the effect of eosinocytes on the proliferation of fibroblasts and the increase in the synthesis and inhibition of collagen degranulation. 

What is blood poisoning? Read on: Blood infection – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of bacteremia [EXPLAINED]

Eosinocytes in peripheral blood and secretions – study

Eosinocytes, despite their properties, may have a beneficial, neutral or harmful effect on the human body depending on the time, intensity of exposure or stimulus. It is worth remembering that mediators produced by eosinocytes are supposed to protect us against parasites, but at the same time they can damage the epithelium of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Therefore, in some cases of infections, it is very important to have a test that can be assessed the concentration of eosinocytes. The biological material that is used to assess the concentration of eosinocytes in the body is blood, nasal discharge, sputum or bronchial fluid.

To be carried out a test showing the number of eosinocytes in the blood venous blood drawn from a fingertip or a vein is used. Test results are given as values ​​per 1 µl and as percentages.

The test can also be performed on the bronchial washes. The collection of such material usually takes place in a hospital in a pulmonary department. The test fluid is withdrawn during the bronchoscopy procedure. Previously, the lung subsegments are flushed with NaCl physiological solution.

The test in which the material is nasal discharge is referred to as nasal exfoliative cytology. It is a non-invasive test that can be performed in any patient, regardless of their age. The material for the study is taken from the lower turbinate and then examined under a microscope.

Eosinocytes – what are the standards?

Norms of eosinocytes in the body are dependent on the type of test that has been performed:

1. venous blood test – in newborns, the mean norm is 400 / µl, with a range of 20 – 850 / µl. In the first year of a child’s life, the mean norm is 300 / µl with a range of 50 – 700 / µl. On the other hand, in adults, the mean norm is 200 / µl with a range of 0 – 450 / µl. Under normal conditions, in a healthy patient, eosinocytes constitute 1-6% of white blood cells, i.e. leukocytes in the peripheral blood. It is also worth remembering that according to research, the lowest level of eosinocytes in the blood occurs in the morning, and the highest in the evening. Additionally, in the case of women, this level is higher during menstruation, and the lowest before ovulation;
2. bronchial tree lavage test – in healthy people, eosinocytes constitute 0-1% of all cells in the bronchial lavage;
3. study of nasal discharge – in healthy subjects, no eosinocytes are found in the cytogram of the nasal mucosa. 

Eosinocytes – What Can High Eosinocytes Mean?

A blood test may show elevated levels of eosinocytes. An increase in peripheral blood eosinocytes is classified as eosinophilia:

1. mild – values ​​are in the range 600-1500 / µl;
2. moderate – the values ​​are in the range 1500-5000 / 1 µl;
3. severe when the values ​​exceed 5000 / µl.

What could such results mean for the patient? Elevated levels of eosinocytes may indicate:

1. parasitic diseases – infection, incl. tapeworm, human roundworm or echinococcosis;
2. allergic and atopic diseases (especially in children) – including allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis;
3. inflammatory diseases;
4. autoimmune diseases – incl. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis;
5. cancers – incl. Hodking’s lymphoma, chronic eosinophilic leukemia;
6. endokrynologiczne diseases — among others Addison’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease;
7. infectious diseases – incl. tuberculosis;
8. hormonal disorders;
9. cirrhosis;
10. action toxic substances or application some medicationsw;
11. starvation;
12. state in progress dialysis or radiotherapy.

What information is in our blood? Read on: You got it in your blood – what can you learn from the most basic test?

Eozynocyty and eozynofilia and hipereozynofilia

Eosinophilia is a condition in which an increased number of peripheral blood eosinocytes is diagnosed. With eosinophilia, the number of eosinocytes in a blood smear increases to more than 4% of all leukocytes. Severe eosinophilia, in which the concentration of eosinocytes exceeds 1500 / µl, is called hypereosinophilia.

Eosinophilia has been observed in patients diagnosed with:

1. allergic diseases – bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis: pollinosis, perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, urticaria and angioedema, lichen urticaria, food allergies, allergy to drugs, allergic eye diseases: spring conjunctivitis and keratitis, atopic conjunctivitis and corneas, allergy to hymenoptera venom;
2. parasitic diseases with tissue invasion – incl. trichinosis;
3. skin diseases – incl. dermatitis herpetiformis, eosinophilic fasciitis;
4. tumors and blood diseases – incl. Hodgkin’s disease, eosinophilic leukemia. 
5. cdiseases with the formation of granulation tissue – incl. tuberculosis, sarcoidosis;
6. hypereosinophilic syndrome – incl. fibrotic endocarditis, systemic vasculitis, Löffler’s syndrome, tropical eosinophilia;
7. gastrological diseases – incl. eosinophilic enteritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease;
8. po roentgenoterapii i splenektomii;
9. after removal of the spleen;
10. collagenosis;
11. adrenal insufficiency;
12. during dialysis;
13. idiopathic familial eosinophilia 
14. after the patient’s contact with benzene, nickel, chromium, copper sulphate, cobalt, antioxidants. 
15. drug-induced conditions – including the use of antibiotics, e.g. streptomycin, neomycin, anti-tuberculosis drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, anti-thyroid drugs;
16. after tissue and organ transplants in a graft versus host reaction;
17. primary immune deficiencies.

What should I know about basic blood tests? Read on: Basic blood tests – meaning, interpretation

Eosinocytes – What does low eosinocytes mean?

Blood tests can also be seen low concentration of eosinocytes. This condition is called eosinopenia. A patient is diagnosed with eosinopenia if the eosinocyte count drops below 50 / μl. It is very difficult to identify such a condition, so too low a level of eosinocytes is much less often diagnosed. Moreover, the most frequently depressed eosinocytes are of no clinical significance. The reasons for the low concentration of eosinocytes are:

1. developing inflammation in the body;
2. prolonged stress;
3. taking certain medications;
4. elevated levels of glucocorticoids, hyperadrenocorticism, e.g. in Cushing’s disease;
5. radiation therapy;
6. excessive physical exertion;
7. alcohol poisoning;
8. typhoid fever, sepsis, dysentery.

Do you know what a coagulogram is? Check: Coagulogram – when to perform and how to interpret the results

Eozynocyty and eozynofiluria

Patients are also diagnosed with eosinophilia, in which the presence of eosinocytes in the urine is observed. This condition is characteristic of the Churg-Strauss syndrome. Additionally, eosinocytes may appear in the urine in conditions such as acute allergic interstitial nephritis, acute multiform nephritis, acute prostatitis, and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

What can blood in my urine mean? Read on: Hematuria

Eozynocyty and other diseases

The level of eosinocytes in the peripheral blood can provide information about various disease states that develop in the human body. The most frequently described cases, related mainly to the concentration of eosinocytes in the blood, include:

1. hypereosinophilic syndrome – is a chronic disease in which there is a significantly increased level of eosinocytes in the blood – over 1500 / µl for a period of at least 6 months. Hypereosinophilic syndrome occurs with no detectable cause with changes in the heart, bone marrow, or nervous system. The syndrome mainly affects men, only 10% of cases are diagnosed in women. Symptoms that may indicate hypereosinophilic syndrome include fever, night sweats, chronic fatigue, weight loss, and lack of appetite. There are also skin changes, such as urticaria, rash, itching of the skin and angioedema. Complications are much more serious because patients suffer from heart damage, brain lesions, neuropathies, pulmonary infiltrates or changes in the digestive system;
2. diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia – is a medical condition also known as choroba Shulmana. This is a very rare form of fascia, and only 1000 cases of this disease have been described so far. The etiology of this disease is unknown. It is known, however, that it is chronic and causes progressive hardening of the coatings. Shulman’s disease is more commonly diagnosed in women than in men, although some researchers say it may be more common in men aged 50-60. The disease manifests itself as low-grade fever, pain in joints, muscles and skin. Symmetrical swellings appear on the arms, hands, lower legs and feet. Additionally, the skin becomes discolored and furrows appear on it;
3. chronic eosinophilic pneumonia – is a disease condition associated with the accumulation of eosinocytes in the alveoli and interstitial tissue of the lungs. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is more common in middle-aged women, especially in asthmatics. The disease manifests as fever, night sweats, coughing and weight loss. Typically, the patient is referred for an X-ray examination of the lungs, in which alveolar densities in the peripheral parts of the lungs can be observed;
4. eosinophilic esophagitis – is a chronic disease in which eosinocyte infiltrates within the esophageal epithelium are observed. There are also changes that cause the lumen of the esophagus to narrow;
5. chronic eosinophilic leukemia – is a medical condition that has much in common with the hypereosinophilic syndrome. Treatment is based on tyrosine kinase inhibitors;
6. Churg-Strauss syndrome – is a rare allergic granulomatous vasculitis. This disease occurs in the clinical form of severe bronchial asthma. Churg-Strauss syndrome usually appears in patients aged 20-40 years and begins with symptoms of allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and bronchial asthma;
7. Omenn’s syndrome – is a genetic disease. It is included in the congenital, severe and associated immunodeficiencies. Patients with Omenn syndrome are short and their limb bones are short and wide. The symptoms of the disease are flaky peeling of the skin, severe recurrent infections or lymphadenopathy. There is only one treatment for this condition, and that is bone marrow stem cell transplantation. 

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The level of eosinocytes in pregnancy

There are many changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy. Therefore, the norms of the results of the tests carried out at that time may have different values. Sometimes the results are lowered, and they are often far beyond the norm. However, do not worry, first of all it is advisable to visit a doctor and consult the results. In pregnant women, the value of leukocytes and eosinocytes usually increases. The normal result for women is 4 – 000 / µl, and during pregnancy it is: 10 – 000 / µl.

What does low blood leukocyte concentration mean during pregnancy? Check: What do low leukocytes in pregnancy show?

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