Neutrophils are the group of the most numerous leukocytes, the main function of which is to fight pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that penetrate the human body. Unlike red blood cells and platelets, neutrophils have a nucleus. Neutrophils are produced by the bone marrow and, depending on age, have different sizes and shapes of the nucleus.
Types of neutrophils
According to the degree of maturity, neutrophils are divided into the following groups;
- Myeloblasts - "newborns" from stem cells - the initial base for neutrophil maturation.
- Promyelocytes are a large round cell, the volume of which is almost completely occupied by the nucleus.
- Myelocytes are somewhat smaller than promyelocytes, have a regular rounded nucleus shape and a dense membrane.
- Metamyelocytes - smaller than a myelocyte, the nucleus is kidney-shaped.
- Stab neutrophils - have a small elongated nucleusuneven shape, most of the cell is filled with cytoplasm.
- Segmented neutrophils - differ from rod-shaped neutrophils only in the shape of the nucleus, which is divided into segments. The size and amount of cytoplasm in these two types of neutrophils is the same.
Functions of segmented neutrophils
Only segmented neutrophils are mature cells and have the largest proportion in the total volume of leukocytes. Due to the ability not only to move in the blood stream, but also to penetrate the walls of blood vessels with the help of special outgrowths of the wall - "legs", segmented neutrophils move in the tissues to the affected area and dissolve pathogens in their protoplasm. After the “attack”, neutrophils die, but the substances they release signal to other groups of cells about the location of the infection, and to the bone marrow to produce additional young myeloblasts.
Segmented neutrophils in the blood. Norma - what is it?
In a he althy adult, the proportion of segmented neutrophils is 47% -75% of the total number of neutrophils, while the number of stab neutrophils does not exceed 6%. Such a big difference is explained by the instability of the stab form and its rapid maturation into a mature neutrophil.
This is the norm. Segmented neutrophils in the blood play an important role. Sometimes an absolute neutrophil count is used, which varies from 1000 to 7500 cells per microliter of plasma.(written in thousands of cells per liter - 1.0-7.5 x 109 / l). In men and women, the indicators of leukocytes do not have pronounced differences, they are more related to the level of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, hematocrit.
With moderate infectious attacks, only segmented neutrophils participate in the protective functions of the body, the remaining younger forms continue to mature in the bone marrow and are completely absent in the blood. However, in the event of the occurrence of extensive pathogenic foci, when a large number of mature neutrophils quickly die, and replenishment does not have time to be synthesized, immature neutrophils of the four final stages are also involved in the process of eliminating the infection.
By recording the stages of neutrophils from myelocytes to segmented from left to right, the leukocyte formula may shift to the left when the number of "young" neutrophils in the blood is increased, or to the right when the number of mature leukocytes is exceeded.
Degrees of neutrophilia
An increase in the level of segmented neutrophils in the blood plasma is called neutrophilia or neutrophilia. This is due to the fact that the norm of segmented nuclei in the blood of men and women is violated. By itself, neutrophilia indicates a sufficient level of immunity of the body and its ability to withstand the onslaught of pathogenic bacteria, according to its level, doctors preliminarily assess the degree of pathology of the disease.
There are three degrees of neutrophilia:
- moderate, when the level of neutrophils from 6, 0 -7, 0 rises to 10;
- extensive -with an indicator from 10.0 to 20.0;
- generalized if it exceeds 20, 0.
Moderate neutrophilia in the range of 8.0-8.5 with normal other groups of leukocytes does not necessarily indicate the presence of pathology. This can be caused by excessive physical exertion, psycho-emotional stress, stress, overeating, the menstrual cycle in women. Also, a shift of the leukocyte formula to the left can be observed after an infectious disease, during which an excess of "young" neutrophils was released into the blood, which then transformed into mature segmented forms. A shift to the right can occur in cases of large blood loss, blood transfusions, and some types of anemia.
Causes of neutrophilia in adults
The extensive level of neutrophilia is caused by a number of pathogenic factors. It can be various acute infections of the respiratory and urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, joints. A generalized level of neutrophilia occurs with necrotic conditions, improperly administered vaccinations, severe forms of chemical or alcohol poisoning, and oncological diseases.
Increased white blood cells in women during pregnancy
With the onset of pregnancy, most women experience a general increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood. In early pregnancy, this is caused by a reaction to the embryo as if it were foreign tissue. Then the total specific gravity of leukocytes stabilizes within 20% above the norm atthe relative ratio of all types of neutrophils within the norms of an adult. Sometimes in women, when carrying a fetus, there may be a shift in such an indicator as the norm of segmented nuclei in the blood in women to the left with an increase in stab neutrophils. In this case, other indicators of blood, lymph, urine are studied to detect the presence of pathologies. If no significant deviations are found, such a shift may signal the likelihood of a miscarriage, a woman should not neglect a thorough examination and observation by doctors.
Causes of neutropenia
Reducing the level of neutrophils below normal is called neutropenia and occurs, as a rule, for three main reasons:
- The emergence of severe bacterial and viral diseases, such as brucellosis, measles, rubella, hepatitis, when the body was attacked by a huge number of disease-causing agents, to fight which too many leukocytes were spent.
- Development of bone marrow resources, which caused the inhibition of the function of neutrophil synthesis. This may be due to the use of strong drugs - immunosuppressive drugs, painkillers, chemotherapy, radiation exposure and radiotherapy.
- Development of blood diseases - leukemia, anemia, acute deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid. When treated with popular antiviral drugs such as ribavirin and interferon, 90% of those taking the drug have seen a decrease in neutrophil levels.
Decreased segmented neutrophils cause neutropenia. Like neutrophilia, neutropeniaThere are three degrees of severity. With a constant rate at the level of 1.0 - 1.5, neutropenia is considered mild. If the indicators fall below 1.0 and 0.5, moderate and severe neutropenia are diagnosed, respectively.
However, not always a low level of neutrophils indicates the presence of serious diseases or pathological abnormalities in the body. According to various sources, up to 30% of the Russian population have permanent benign neutropenia of the first or second degree, with the norm of all other blood parameters. Also, in a small number of people, the drop in the level of neutrophils is cyclical and individual.
Reduced segmented neutrophils are extremely dangerous for the body. Treatment of diagnosed neutropia must be carried out immediately, since such a condition can lead to toxic shock or death. It is quite difficult to recognize neutropenia without a detailed blood test, since its symptoms are similar to many caused by a wide variety of other diseases. According to the analysis, the hematologist will be able to accurately analyze the qualitative composition of leukocytes and other indicators and identify the degree of danger of deviations from the norm.
Segmented neutrophils in the blood: the norm in children
In children, the indicators of the leukocyte formula differ from adult norms. Depending on the period of life, these indicators have quite large fluctuations. So, with the norm of an adult 47-75%, a newborn child has a level of segmented neutrophils from45 to 80%, a child under the age of 1 year - 15-45%, a child aged 1 to 12 years - 25-62%, in adolescence - 40-60%. Then, usually in a he althy child, the level of segmented nuclei stabilizes within the normal range, and stab decreases from 17% to the norm of 5-6%.
Are you interested in the indicator "segmented neutrophils in the blood of a child" is normal? The table clearly reflects this.
The reason for such a difference in the composition of the blood of children is the process of formation of immunity, which reaches an optimal level only by adulthood. At the time of birth, the child's body is under severe stress, so it builds a protective barrier, which causes a slight neutrophilia in the first months of life. However, then the bone marrow, which has not yet been fully developed, causes a minimum level of protection by segmented neutrophils with a high rate of stab.
Neutrophilia in children can be provoked by a recent vaccination, which is a positive signal of the correct response of the immune system to infection. Also, an increase in the level of neutrophils can happen due to the use of drugs and steroid hormones.
Neutropenia in children can occur with severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions, anemia, during viral diseases that weaken general immunity, with the use of anticonvulsants and painkillers, chemical poisoning.
Usually, pediatric neutropenia does not require special treatment, up to 5 years the levelsegmented neutrophils returns to normal, however, it should be remembered that such children have reduced resistance to colds and viral diseases, if possible, they should be protected from intense foci of infection. Then, according to the results of the analysis "segmented neutrophils in the blood", the norm will be revealed.
How to keep white blood cells normal?
Normal stable levels of leukocytes are promoted by various measures aimed at increasing the overall immunity of the body and activating metabolic processes. First of all, it is important to take care of a quality diet, which should contain a lot of vegetables, fruits, fiber, a moderate amount of calories, it is important not to overeat. Getting vaccinated on time can help reduce the risk of contracting serious infectious diseases. And this applies not only to children, but also to adults, since today there are many different high-quality vaccines against such serious diseases as hepatitis, meningitis, various types of sepsis, shingles.
An excellent prevention of infections and the presence of such an element as segmented neutrophils in the blood, the norm of which is specified above, is regular washing of the sinuses with clean or s alted water, since cleansing the mucous membrane and villi in the nasal passages significantly increases their protective function. Do not neglect such simple and effective ways as hardening procedures, outdoor walks, regular exercise. It is also necessary to take measures to reduce the load, eliminate frequentstressful situations, it is important to avoid constant overwork. During the seasons of exacerbation of colds, you should try to protect yourself and your children from visiting public places, mass events.
