Contents
Eosinopenia is a decrease in the level of eosinophils less than 50 cells per milliliter of blood. Normally, the level of eosinophils in the blood should remain at around 1-5%. Most often, people are diagnosed not with a decrease, but with an increase in these cells. This condition is called eosinophilia. However, eosinopenia is one of the clinical and hematological syndromes that doctors of various specialties encounter from time to time.
It is quite difficult to judge a decrease in a blood parameter, if it is already quite small without it. After all, even 1% of eosinophils is enough for a person to be healthy. Therefore, the generally accepted indicator of eosinopenia is a decrease in the level of eosinophils to 0-0,5%, which is rarely observed.
Causes of eosinopenia
Eosinophils are formed in the bone marrow. They are produced by stem cells – the precursors of all forms of leukocytes. Eosinophils do not have the ability to divide, they belong to granulocytes. The process of “birth” of the cell takes from 3 to 4 days. Then they acquire the structure of adult eosinophils and enter the systemic circulation. There they will circulate for 6-12 hours. Eosinophils live from 10 to 14 days. From the blood, they enter the digestive tract, lungs and skin, where they remain until the moment of their physiological death. Daily jumps in the level of eosinophils in the blood are largely determined by the level of cortisol (stress hormone) in the plasma. Even in a healthy person, fluctuations in eosinophil levels can be significant.
The sizes of eosinophils vary within 12-17 microns. Their granules contain unique proteins. When eosinophils are activated, the number of granules decreases.
A decrease in the level of eosinophils in the blood can occur for the following reasons:
Severe course of purulent infections, which may be accompanied by sepsis. At the same time, the number of mature forms of leukocytes in the blood decreases, young leukocytes begin to predominate. Over time, their supply will also be depleted.
Inflammatory processes at the beginning of their development may be accompanied by a decrease in the level of eosinophils in the blood.
Eosinophilia develops with inflammation of the pancreas, with inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis), with acute cholelithiasis.
In the first 24 hours after myocardial infarction.
Intoxication of the body with salts of heavy metals can provoke a decrease in the level of eosinophils. Dangerous poisoning with mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, thallium, bismuth.
Damage to the bone marrow with a decrease in its functions will naturally affect the decrease in the level of all blood cells, including eosinophils.
Myelotoxic drugs can cause eosinopenia. Other pathological factors include radiation therapy of cancerous tumors and poisoning of the body.
B12 deficiency anemia can provoke eosinopenia.
Shock conditions can lead to the development of eosnopenia. This is a shock of a painful nature, an infectious shock. In this case, blood cells stick together into tin-like formations right inside the vessels.
Regular stress can negatively affect the quality of the blood.
Diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands affect the number of eosinophils.
During leukemia, eosinophils in the blood are reduced to zero.
Diseases such as sudden exanthema, Kaposi’s herpetiform eczema, neuro-arthritic diathesis, disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis are characterized by eosinopenia.
Causes of a decrease in eosinophils in a child
If a low level of eosinophils is observed in the blood of a child, then most often this indicates the initial stage of acute inflammation. At the same time, most of the eosinophils are directed to its elimination, concentrating in the focus of infection. After a few hours, the level of eosinophils, as a rule, is restored.
Eosinopenia can be diagnosed in an absolutely healthy child. A temporary decrease in the number of red blood cells does not always indicate any pathology. In general, transient eosinopenia in children under 12 years of age is a variant of the norm, but provided that there are no other pathological symptoms.
Children with Down syndrome often have low blood levels of eosinophils. A similar blood picture will be obtained in premature infants with infectious diseases.
Parents should be concerned when the level of eosinophils remains low for a long time. It is possible that the child needs additional examination.
Eosinophilia during pregnancy
A decrease in the number of granulocytic cells, which include eosinophils, during childbearing is a normal phenomenon. Firstly, it is associated with a decrease in immunity. Secondly, with an increase in the volume of circulating blood, which becomes liquid.
After childbirth, the number of eosinophils will decrease even more. Childbirth is the strongest stress for the body, which is accompanied by muscle strain, and is also an emotional shock. Therefore, it should not be surprising that after such a hard test, the level of eosinophils will be below normal. After 14 days, these indicators should stabilize. However, if immediately after the birth of a child, a woman begins to take hormonal contraceptives, then the level of eosinophils in the blood can also remain at a low level.
As a pathology, eosinopenia during pregnancy is not considered if all other blood counts remain within the normal range. When the number of other leukocytes decreases, it is necessary to look for the cause of this condition. After all, general leukopenia is accompanied by a decrease in the level of immunity, which can be dangerous both for the health of the expectant mother and for the health of the fetus.
Signs of eosinopenia
By itself, eosinopenia cannot be manifested by any specific signs. Therefore, it is possible to suspect a pathological decrease in the level of eosinophils in the blood only by the symptoms of the underlying disease that led to its occurrence.
Purulent infections and inflammatory processes are always accompanied by an increase in body temperature, a deterioration in general well-being, increased sweating, and chills.
With inflammation of the pancreas, the patient has severe pain in the epigastric region, in the left hypochondrium. Indomitable vomiting develops, body temperature rises to high levels. Possible yellowing of the skin. Acute appendicitis may present with similar symptoms. The pain at the same time manifests most often suddenly, it will be concentrated in the umbilical region.
In general, the symptoms of any inflammation cannot go unnoticed by a person and force him to consult a doctor.
In the presence of an oncological process in the body, the patient may have subfebrile body temperature for a long time, pallor of the skin, unmotivated weight loss, dizziness, fainting. Bleeding of the gums increases, nosebleeds may occur, petechiae form on the skin. Even with minor bruises, bruises appear in a person. Perhaps an increase in lymph nodes, their soreness. Such symptoms require a visit to a specialist for a comprehensive examination.
Diagnosis of eosinopenia
Diagnosis of eosinopenia is built on the basis of a general clinical blood test. She is taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. 7-8 hours before the procedure, you must stop drinking tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. You can drink clean water.
Doctors advise to exclude fatty and fried foods, spicy dishes from the menu. Do not smoke before the blood donation procedure.
If a person is taking any medication, then he should inform the doctor about it.
On the eve of the procedure, emotional overstrain and physical exertion should be avoided.
It should be taken into account that during ovulation and until the very end of the cycle, the level of eosinophils decreases. During this period, the content of progesterone in the body increases, which helps to reduce the number of eosinophils. Therefore, when donating blood during ovulation, as well as when exposed to a number of external factors (stress, overwork), a woman can be diagnosed with eosinopenia. At the same time, this condition will not indicate any pathology. To clarify the picture of the blood, a second test is required.
Treatment of eosinopenia
Eosinopenia itself is not a disease. This condition can only indicate that not everything is in order in the body. Therefore, treatment should be aimed only at eliminating the cause of eosinopenia.
Bacterial infections require the appointment of antibiotics, to which the isolated flora is sensitive. To increase immunity, you need to take vitamins and minerals, eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle.
Septic complications require emergency hospitalization of the patient in the intensive care unit. The complex of therapeutic measures is based on the introduction of injections of antibacterial drugs, in parallel, detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. It is imperative to restore the functioning of life-supporting organs.
Appendicitis requires surgical treatment. Sometimes without surgery it is not possible to cope with inflammation of the gallbladder.
Malignant bone marrow tumors cannot be surgically removed. These patients are treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
If eosinopenia develops while taking medications, then the treatment regimen should be reviewed. Either a dose reduction or a drug change will be required.
With B-12 deficiency anemia, accompanied by eosinopenia, cyanocobalamin is required. The drug is prescribed courses. In parallel, the patient will need to adjust his diet by introducing foods rich in vitamin B12 into the menu. These are liver, mackerel, sardines, rabbit meat, beef, pork, chicken eggs, etc.
In general, a person with eosinopenia should focus on boosting immunity. To do this, you need to eat right, play sports, spend as much time as possible in the fresh air. An important condition for health is the harmonious functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, you need to avoid stress, and if necessary, take sedatives.