Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Eosinophils usually account for less than 7% of the circulating leukocytes. [1] A marked increase in non-blood tissue eosinophil count noticed upon histopathologic examination is diagnostic for tissue eosinophilia. [2] Several causes are known, with the most common being some form of allergic reaction or parasitic infection.
Eosinophilic pneumonia is a disease in which an eosinophil, a type of white blood cell, accumulates in the lungs. These cells cause disruption of the normal air spaces where oxygen is extracted from the atmosphere. Several different kinds of eosinophilic pneumonia exist and can occur in any age group.
Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a disease characterized by a persistently elevated eosinophil count (≥ 1500 eosinophils/mm³) in the blood for at least six months without any recognizable cause, with involvement of either the heart, nervous system, or bone marrow.
Eosinophils can also cause tissue damage in the lungs of asthmatic patients. [7] High concentrations of eosinophil major basic protein and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin that approach cytotoxic levels are observed at degranulation sites in the lungs as well as in the asthmatic sputum. [7]
There are many causes of eosinophilia that may underlie eosinophilic myocarditis. These causes are classified as primary (i.e. a defect intrinsic to the eosinophil cell line), secondary (induced by an underlying disorder that stimulates the proliferation and activation of eosinophils), or idiopathic (i.e. unknown cause).
Eosinophilic pneumonia is diagnosed by characteristic imaging and the presence of eosinophils on alveolar lavage, or washing of the lower respiratory system. Eosinophilia, or elevated eosinophils in the blood may be significantly elevated or absent. [3] Lung biopsy is usually not necessary for diagnosis. [3]
Another theory postulates that eosinophils in sepsis travel out of the blood and may contribute to tissue damage, causing relative eosinopenia in the blood with elevated eosinophils in affected tissue. [5] Eosinophils have been shown to have a cytotoxic effect on bacteria, which contributes to surrounding tissue damage. [2] [3]
Criteria for the diagnosis include findings of: a) long term hypereosinophilia (i.e. eosinophil blood counts >1,500/microliter) plus physical findings and symptoms associated with the disease; b) bone marrow analysis showing abnormally high levels of eosinophils; c) elevated serum levels of Immunoglobulin E, other immunoglobulins, and CCL17; d ...