The clinical blood test contains many indicators that characterize the state of the body as a whole and its individual systems or organs. A change in the main characteristics of the blood indicates the presence of an inflammatory process or pathology.
What are neutrophils?
Neutrophils are a separate subspecies of granulocytic leukocytes. These cells stain with both basic dyes and eosin. Whereas basophils only stain with basic dyes and eosinophils only stain with eosin.
The neutrophils contain the enzyme myeloperoxidase in large quantities. This enzyme contains a heme-containing protein. It is he who provides a greenish tint to neutrophil cells. Therefore, pus and discharge, which contain many neutrophils, also have a greenish color and indicate bacterial inflammation. With viral diseases and helminths in the body, these blood cells are powerless.
Neutrophils support the immune system and help protect the body from the effects of viruses and infections. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow at a rate of 7million cells per minute. They circulate in the blood for 8-48 hours, and then migrate to tissues and organs, where they provide protection against infections and bacteria.
Stages of neutrophil development
Neutrophils are microphages that are able to absorb only small foreign particles in the body. There are six forms of neutrophil development - myeloblast, promyelocyte, myelocyte, metamyelocyte, stab (immature forms) and segmented cell (mature form).
When an infection enters the body, neutrophils are released from the bone marrow in an immature form. The presence and severity of the inflammatory process can be determined by the number of immature neutrophils in the blood.
Main functions of neutrophils
Neutrophils are the body's defense cells. Their main function is the absorption (phagocytosis) of bacteria and viruses that are dangerous to the human body. These cells can reach damaged tissue and engulf bacteria by first destroying them with their specific enzymes.
After ingesting bacteria, neutrophils break down, releasing enzymes. These enzymes help soften surrounding tissues. Thus, a purulent abscess will form at the site of their destruction, which consists of neutrophils and their remnants.
In addition to phagocytosis, neutrophils are able to move, adhere to other molecules (adhesion), and respond to chemical stimuli by moving towards them and absorbing foreign cells (chemotaxis).
Neutrophils: the norm in the analysisblood
Normally, in a he althy adult, the number of immature (stab) neutrophils in the blood should vary from 1 to 6% of all white blood cells. The number of segmented (mature) cells is in the range of 47-72%.
In childhood, the number of neutrophils can change in different age periods:
- In a newborn baby on the first day, this figure is 1-17% of immature cells and 45-80% of mature neutrophils.
- Neutrophils in a child under 1 year old are normally: stab cells - 0.5-4%, and the concentration of mature neutrophils - 15-45%.
- Starting from the age of one and up to 12 years, the rate of immature neutrophils in the blood ranges from 0.5 to 5%, and the number of segmented cells is 25-62%.
- From 13 to 15 years old, the rate of stab neutrophils remains practically unchanged at 0.5-6%, and the number of mature cells increases and is in the range of 40-65%.
It should be noted that in pregnant women and nursing mothers, the number of neutrophils in the blood does not differ from the normal rate of a he althy adult.
Increased amount of these cells in the blood
Neutrophils are "kamikaze" cells, they destroy foreign particles that enter the body, absorb and break them down inside themselves, and then die.
The index of neutrophils in the blood increases in the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, it reaches the highest values with purulent inflammations (abscesses, phlegmons). Neutrophilia provides increased protection of the body against viruses and infections affecting it.
Very often, neutrophilia is combined with an increase in the total number of leukocytes (leukocytosis). If immature stab cell forms predominate in the blood test, it is necessary to look for the presence of an inflammatory process of a bacterial nature in the body.
It is important to note that after increased physical exertion, emotional stress, overeating or during pregnancy, neutrophils in the blood may slightly increase. In such cases, the balance of cells in the blood is restored on its own.
What diseases cause neutrophilia?
An increase in the level of neutrophils in the blood can be triggered:
- localized or generalized inflammatory processes that were caused by acute bacterial infections;
- intoxication of the body that affects the bone marrow (lead, alcohol);
- necrotic processes;
- cancerous tumors that decay;
- recent vaccination;
- intoxication of the body with bacterial toxins without direct infection.
When neutrophils are low in a blood test, lymphocytes are high - this indicates a recent and cured infectious disease.
Decreased number of neutrophils in the blood
Neutropenia (decrease in the number of neutrophils in the blood) indicates a suppression of the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow. This pathology can bethe effect of antibodies on leukocytes, the effect of toxic substances, and the circulation of certain immune complexes in the bloodstream. Most often, low neutrophils are the result of a decrease in natural immunity.
Neutropenia can have several forms of origin - of unclear nature, acquired or congenital. In children of the first year of life, benign chronic neutropenia is common. Until the age of 2-3 years, this is considered normal, but then the neutrophil count should level off and comply with accepted standards.
What diseases cause a decrease in the concentration of neutrophils?
Neutropenia is characteristic of diseases such as:
- agranulocytosis (a sharp decrease in the number of cells);
- hypoplastic and aplastic anemia;
- diseases caused by protozoal infections (malaria, toxplasmosis);
- diseases caused by rickettsia (typhus);
- infectious diseases caused by bacteria (brucellosis, typhoid, paratyphoid);
- diseases of an infectious nature caused by viruses (measles, rubella, influenza);
- generalized infectious processes caused by severe inflammation in the body;
- hypersplenism (a decrease in the number of all blood cells due to their accumulation in an enlarged spleen or rapid cell destruction);
- lack of body weight, exhaustion of the body (cachexia);
- radiation exposure or radiotherapy;
- taking certain medications(sulfonamides, penicillin, chloramphenicol, analgesics and cytostatics).
Neutropenia may be temporary when caused by conventional antiviral therapy. In this case, the pathology does not require treatment, and the blood counts are restored on their own after the elimination of the viral infection.
If neutrophils are lowered for a long time, this indicates chronic diseases of the hematopoietic system. This phenomenon requires the immediate intervention of qualified doctors and the appointment of a thorough examination and effective treatment.
What to do if the level of neutrophils is disturbed?
If there is a deviation from the norm of neutrophils in the blood, it is necessary to take the same measures as with a change in the number of leukocytes (normalize the daily diet, avoid contact with sick people).
As a rule, the normalization of the level of neutrophils in the blood occurs due to the intake of vitamin complexes and drugs that can eliminate the causes of imbalance. But all appointments must be made by a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable!
If the violations were caused by ongoing therapy, then it is necessary to replace or completely eliminate the use of drugs that suppress the production of neutrophils in the bone marrow. Neutrophils in an adult show how strong the natural defense of the body is, so it is very important to maintain this indicator in the normal range and start the necessary therapy on time.
