Eosinophils in the blood: normal, causes of deviations, what they mean

Synonyms: EO

Eosinophils consist of a bilobed nucleus and three types of eosinophil granules (lipid bodies, eosinophils, small and primary). They contain protein structures with the help of which foreign cells are neutralized. Eosinophils are quite large cells: their diameter reaches 20 microns.

Eosinophils got their name due to the fact that when stained according to Romanovsky, they are easily stained with eosin (an acidic dye), while other types of dyes have no effect on them. Eosin itself was invented in 1873 by the German scientist G. Caro and, due to its bright pink color, was named after the ancient Greek goddess of the dawn Eos (in the German version the name sounds like “eosin”).

Blood test for eosinophils

To determine the level of eosinophils, a general blood test is used, which is familiar to all of us since childhood. Eosinophils by themselves do not give an accurate idea of the nature of pathological changes in the body, however, in combination with other values of the leukocyte formula, they allow a specialist to judge the nature of the pathology. In the analysis form, eosinophils are designated as EO. Their content is indicated as a percentage of the total number of leukocytes. A formula is also used to calculate the absolute number of eosinophils in peripheral blood and it looks like this: number of leukocytes * 10 to the 9th power. For a general analysis, blood is most often taken from a finger prick, but venous blood is also suitable.

Figure 1. Causes of eosinophilia (increased number of eosinophils in the blood). Image: kavusta/Depositphotos

Eosinophils in allergies:

It is well known that eosinophils indicate the presence of allergies; during allergic reactions, their content in the blood can increase several times relative to the norm. However, it would be a mistake to assume that they increase the allergic reaction. On the contrary, eosinophils strive to balance the disturbed balance of the immune system, in which it gives such an explosive reaction to a stimulus. For example, these cells absorb histamine, a mediator of allergies. If there is too much of it in the body, it can cause a very serious situation: anaphylactic shock, from which you can die. Eosinophils save allergy sufferers from this, as they regulate the strength of the reaction and reduce it.

Indications for analysis

A complete blood test with a count of eosinophils is prescribed for most people who visit the clinic. The range of indications is very wide, but in modern clinical practice, the initial eosinophil count is most often used as a biomarker to assess the effectiveness of drugs prescribed to patients with bronchial asthma. In this regard, the absolute number of eosinophils is of greatest value to the physician.

Eosinophils belong to microphages. This means that they can only absorb small foreign particles.

The study is relevant when confirming a preliminary diagnosis, checking the effectiveness of the prescribed therapeutic course, assessing the state of a person’s health during medical examinations or medical examinations. The doctor also prescribes a general blood test in the postoperative period. In addition, counting eosinophils is important when the development of infectious, oncological and autoimmune diseases is suspected.

Norms of eosinophils in the blood

When deciphering the analysis, the patient’s age is taken into account, since these factors affect the content of eosinophils in the blood.
Table 1. Norm of eosinophils by age

Children under 5 years old	Children 5 – 14 years old	Adults
0,5 – 7%	1 – 5%	0,5 – 5%

It should also be taken into account that in women in the first days of menstruation there is a slight excess of the norm in the content of eosinophils, while after ovulation their number may be slightly below the norm.

In absolute terms, the norm for adults is 0.15-0.450X10.0⁹ per liter of blood plasma. Exceeding the normal percentage of leukocytes is called eosinophilia. There are three stages of eosinophilia:

1. Light (no more than 10% of the total number of leukocytes).

2. Average (up to 15%).

3. Heavy (over 15%).

Causes of an increased number of eosinophils in the blood

An increase in the level of eosinophils indicates that the body is resisting the inflammatory process, and tissues and cells are experiencing oxygen deficiency. Possible reasons for the increase in the number of eosinophils:

Allergy. This is one of the most common reasons. Hypersensitivity reactions always increase the production of eosinophils in the bone marrow. In turn, eosinophils reduce the production of allergy mediators.

Allergies are a common cause of elevated eosinophil levels. Photo: Dmyrto_Z / Depositphotos

Asthma. In bronchial asthma, there is a moderate increase in the number of eosinophils in the blood, and in the allergic form they can also be found in sputum and bronchoalveolar fluid.
Helminthic infestations. When infected with helminths, the number of eosinophils in the blood increases for two reasons: first, they release eosinophil cationic protein and reactive oxygen species to kill parasites. Secondly, the metabolic products of parasites provoke hypersensitivity reactions, and here the mechanism for increasing the production of eosinophils is the same as in allergies.
Lung diseases. Despite the fact that the mechanism of increased eosinophil production in lung diseases has not yet been fully studied, experts note the relationship between these phenomena. Eosinophilia is observed in Churg-Strauss syndrome (in this case it reaches a frightening figure of 50%), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (an increase in the level of eosinophils is observed only in the acute phase and rarely exceeds 15%), as well as in eosinophilic pneumonia (up to 20%).
Blood diseases. First of all, we are talking about hematological pathologies of a malignant nature (eosinophilic leukemia, myeloid leukemia). Eosinophilia is also characteristic of mastocytosis, but in leukemia its severity is much higher (up to 70%).
Gastrointestinal diseases. An increased number of eosinophils in a general blood test is observed in gastritis, esophagitis and enterocolitis. All these diseases are accompanied by inflammatory processes, which causes accelerated formation of eosinophils.
Oncological diseases. When confirming the diagnosis, the leukocyte count is not a priority indicator, but an increase in the number of eosinophils in malignant diseases is indeed observed. After therapeutic interventions such as radiotherapy, the increase in the number of eosinophils also increases significantly.
Weakened immunity. In immunodeficiency conditions (Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and Jobe syndrome), the level of eosinophils can reach 60%, which is associated with increased production of immunoglobulin E.
Endocrine diseases. In diseases such as primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), congenital adrenal dysfunction, Schmidt's syndrome and panhypopituitarism, eosinophil levels increase to moderate levels and normalize after treatment with glucocorticoids.
The recovery period after surgery. This is especially true when transplanting donor organs to a patient and removing the spleen.

In pregnant women

Normally, eosinophils in the blood are reduced in pregnant women - this is a physiological state of quantity.
With the onset of labor and during labor, the number of eosinophils during pregnancy decreases. After 14 days it returns to normal. When taking a blood test for eosinophils, one should take into account the physiological conditions in which eosinopenia may occur, mentioned above. The body compensates for the physiological decrease in eosinophils in pregnant women and the number of blood cells quickly returns to normal.

Treatment or some kind of intervention from specialists is required only in case of a pathological decrease in the number of these blood cells.

Causes of a low number of eosinophils in the blood

A decrease in the number of eosinophils below 0.02*109/l is called eosinopenia. There are several possible reasons:

Taking glucocorticoids and steroids. These are hormonal drugs that help reduce the number of leukocytes (including eosinophils) in the blood due to their destruction. At the same time, eosinopenia is not a strong enough reason to discontinue a course of glucocorticoids, since in itself it does not pose a threat to health, while the therapeutic effect of these drugs for allergic reactions or autoimmune diseases fully justifies their use.
Nervous tension and stress. During times of severe mental stress, depression and emotional turmoil, the level of cortisol, which is called the stress hormone, increases in the blood. It is cortisol that destroys eosinophils.
Allergic reactions. The level of eosinophils in allergies is a rather paradoxical issue. With moderate hypersensitivity reactions, eosinophilia is observed, but with severe allergies, the level of eosinophils, on the contrary, decreases.
Infectious diseases. Eosinopenia is characteristic of diseases of a viral and bacterial nature, which include coronavirus infection. A decrease in the number of eosinophils is also observed in purulent-septic processes (abscesses and phlegmon).
Endocrine diseases. As we already know, an increase in the level of cortisol in the blood entails a decrease in the number of eosinophils. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, so adrenal diseases (for example, Cushing's syndrome) cause eosinopenia.
Bone marrow diseases. Since eosinophils are formed in the bone marrow, any associated pathologies and injuries cause eosinopenia.
A decrease in the level of eosinophils in the blood can also be observed in the first days after a heart attack, with appendicitis, sepsis, acromegaly, lupus erythematosus, burns and injuries.

Figure 2. Eosinopenia (low eosinophil count). Dr Graham Beards / Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Role and functions in the body

Eosinophils, as a type of white blood cell, are responsible for protection against foreign agents, which can be microorganisms, chemicals, and toxins. Eosinophils are often called scavenger cells, which have a special task. They are considered the most sensitive to parasitic infections and pathological bacteria. They usually begin their work after lymphocytes and neutrophils. Their option in this case is to dissolve the remains of pathogenic microorganisms.

These cells also participate in the “antigen-antibody” reaction, due to which they control the release of histamine, better known as a substance that causes allergies. Thanks to this, eosinophils help reduce the aggressiveness of the immune system's response to foreign proteins. Such blood cells can also penetrate vascular walls and move through tissues to the site of damage or inflammation.

Among the lesser known areas of responsibility of eosinophils is the prevention of thrombosis. However, they also have a downside. These blood cells can become dangerous, for example, when they are associated with pathological changes. This happens with Loeffler's disease. This is an allergic disease, when the number of eosinophils in the blood increases, and infiltrates form in the lungs, which, however, quickly disappear.

Vital interest. Six naive questions about tests Read more

Consequences of deviation from the norm

A change in the normal level of eosinophils in the blood is not a criterion by which one can get an idea of possible pathological changes in the body. Simply put, the level of eosinophils in the blood itself means little - you need to pay attention to the disease that caused its change. Therefore, the consequences can be very diverse - from completely insignificant (as in the case of physical activity) to deadly (for example, in the case of oncology).

Eosinophilia itself, in rare cases, can lead to damage to tissues in which the greatest accumulation of eosinophils is observed. The mechanism of such damage has not been fully studied to date, but it has been established that eosinophils exhibit the most severe damaging effect in conditions such as eosinophilic fibroplastic endocarditis and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. The nature of the damage directly depends on the duration of eosinophilia and the severity of eosinophilic tissue infiltration.

Eosinophils and phagocytosis:

The entire immune system is mobilized to protect health, and each of its elements works in its own way. The eosinophil count also increases when any harmful object enters the body. Eosinophils have a clear reaction to the “enemy”: to fight it, they turn into phagocytes and devour foreign particles.

Unfortunately, they are not able to cope with all possible aggressors; These cells are powerless against especially large objects. However, they are capable of neutralizing small particles (viruses, small bacteria, molecules of toxic substances). Like full-fledged phagocytes, they approach the object of attack, capture it with their pseudopods, “swallow” and digest it. The destruction of the object occurs thanks to the enzymes contained in the lysosomes of eosinophils. Because the ability of eosinophils to phagocytose depends on the size of harmful particles, these cells are classified as so-called microphages.

Despite the fact that when describing the function of eosinophils, the ability indicated above is always mentioned, their main significance is not the absorption of microbes. What?

How to reduce the number of eosinophils in the blood

Eosinophilia is not an independent nosological entity, but only a consequence of a particular disease. Therefore, it cannot be treated in isolation - first of all, it is important to eliminate the cause of its occurrence, that is, the disease that caused the change in the leukocyte formula.

Possible treatment options:

Desensitizing therapy. For allergies, antihistamines are used to reduce hypersensitivity reactions. Some of them may cause mild drowsiness (for example, chloropyramine), but newer generation drugs such as cetirizine, levocetirizine, desloratadine and rupatadine do not have this side effect and have a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
Antibacterial therapy - for infectious diseases, antibiotics are prescribed (amoxicillin, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, erythromycin, etc.). The choice of antibacterial drug depends on the pathogen and its sensitivity to a specific group of antibiotics.
Anti-inflammatory therapy. An increase in the level of leukocytes (including eosinophils) is observed during inflammatory processes. When they are severe, glucocorticosteroids (prednisolone) are used.
Chemotherapy. This treatment method is aimed at eliminating malignant tumors. For this purpose, cytostatics and antimetabolites are used.
Hormonal therapy. For multisystem diseases accompanied by immunodeficiency (for example, Jobe's syndrome), the use of steroid drugs and interferon gamma is indicated. Treatment is supplemented with antibiotics, calcineurin inhibitors, H1-histamine blockers, and antifungal drugs.
Antihelminthic therapy. To combat helminthic infestations, drugs such as albendazole, levamisole, bephenia hydroxynaphthoate, piperazine, tetrachlorethylene, and mebendazole are prescribed. The choice of medication depends on the type of parasite and the stage of infestation. Additionally, antibiotics, enterosorbents, enzymes, probiotics, and glucocorticoids are prescribed.

Additionally, the following measures can be taken:

Normalize your lifestyle. It is important to avoid frequent drinking of alcohol and give up cigarettes (or at least significantly limit the number of them).
Avoid chronic intoxication. In people working in hazardous industries or living in environmentally unfavorable regions, the number of eosinophils in the blood increases as a result of constant chemical intoxication.
Maintain a healthy diet. You should not overuse spicy, smoked, canned and fatty foods. To increase the level of eosinophils, you should limit the amount of meat, poultry and fish in your diet (consume mainly low-fat varieties). The menu should include yogurt, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, beans, bran and whole grain bread.

Giving up bad habits will help normalize the level of eosinophils. Photo: vgstockstudio / freepik.com

Eosinophils and cytotoxic immunity:

Let us remember that immune defense consists of three components:

- phagocytosis (destruction of pathogens by devouring them),

— humoral immunity (fighting aggressors by releasing antibodies);

- cytotoxic immunity (destruction of an object through contact of an immune cell with it).

In addition to the ability to phagocytose particles, eosinophils “know how” to exhibit cytotoxic properties.

What do eosinophils show? An increase in their number occurs if a person, for example, becomes infected with parasites. These cells have the ability to destroy “pests” and are therefore activated in patients with helminthiasis, infected with protozoa, etc. In addition, eosinophils exhibit a bactericidal effect and respond to the penetration of bacteria into the body.

During certain pathological processes, they quickly move to the site of inflammation, come into contact with microbes and secrete enzymes that have a toxic effect on them.

How to increase the number of eosinophils in the blood

A decrease in the level of eosinophils in the blood is a sign of weakened immunity. As in the case of eosinophilia, the primary pathology should be identified and eliminated, as well as lifestyle adjustments: minimize bad habits, ensure an adequate level of physical activity, and also take care of a normal daily routine (it is important to sleep at least 8 hours a day) .

The normalization of the leukocyte formula is facilitated by the consumption of vitamins B12, C, D. They can be obtained from food (meat, fish, cottage cheese, rose hips, currants, garlic), or from pharmacy multivitamins. It is advisable to exclude foods with a high allergenic potential: milk, soy, wheat, eggs, seafood, peanuts.

When treating diseases that result in eosinopenia, the same groups of drugs are often used as in the case of eosinophilia. For example, antibiotics are prescribed for infectious diseases, as well as diffuse and localized purulent-inflammatory processes (cellulitis and abscess). As mentioned earlier, allergies can provoke not only an increase, but also a decrease in the number of eosinophils in the blood, so antihistamines can also be used in the treatment of eosinopenia.