Eosinophilia

Eosinophilia is a medical condition characterized by a high number of eosinophils in the blood. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in the body's immune response, particularly in relation to infection and allergens.

Eosinophils in peripheral blood

Eosinophilia 7

Definition and Diagnosis

Eosinophilia is typically defined as a peripheral blood eosinophil count greater than 500 cells/µL. The condition is further classified into mild (500-1500 cells/µL), moderate (1500-5000 cells/µL), and severe eosinophilia (>5000 cells/µL). Eosinophilia is usually detected during a complete blood count (CBC), a routine diagnostic test that measures the number of different types of cells in the blood.

Causes

Eosinophilia can occur in response to a variety of conditions, including:

• Allergic diseases: These include asthma, hay fever, drug allergies, and atopic dermatitis.
• Infections: Parasitic infections are particularly known to cause eosinophilia. Certain bacterial and viral infections can also increase eosinophil count.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can lead to eosinophilia.
• Hematologic disorders: Certain cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia, can result in high eosinophil counts.

Symptoms

Symptoms of eosinophilia are generally related to the underlying condition that is causing the increase in eosinophils. In cases of severe eosinophilia, complications can occur, such as damage to the heart, lungs, or nervous system.

Treatment

The treatment of eosinophilia primarily involves addressing the underlying cause. If a specific allergen is identified, for instance, the individual would be advised to avoid it. Infections would be treated with appropriate antimicrobial therapy. In some cases, corticosteroids may be used to quickly reduce the number of eosinophils in the blood.

See Also

• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
• Hypereosinophilic syndrome

External links

• Eosinophilia - Merck Manual

Eosinophilia Resources
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