What do basophils show in the analysis. What can an increased level of basophils in the blood of an adult indicate? Who to contact if elevated basophils are detected in the blood

Basophils are one of the components of the body's immune system. This is a group of leukocytes. A certain norm of basophils has been established, deviation from which is a signal to the immune system that an allergen has “started up” in the body.

Characteristics

Blood consists of plasma and three groups of cells. Each of them performs its own function. The task of leukocytes is to generate a signal to determine the location of a foreign agent.

Basophils are one of the small groups of leukocytes. Their number is 0.5-1% of the total. This small proportion makes it difficult to detect these cells in blood smears. Their diameter is approximately 10-15 microns.

These cells are formed in the granulocytic region of the bone marrow. From there they enter the bloodstream and circulate there for several hours. Their next destination is fabrics. The lifespan of such a cell is 8-12 days.

These cells consist of:

Formation of blood cells.

leukotriene;
serotonin;
prostaglandin;
histamine;
heparin.

This entire “arsenal” helps these leukocytes respond to pathogens of various types.

How and what functions they perform

Determining the location of a foreign agent occurs as follows. In the area of inflammation, basophils release histamine, serotonin and heparin from the granules. They bind the allergen.

As a result, the concentration of these protective cells in the blood decreases, and in tissues, accordingly, increases. This change provokes biological processes: blood flow increases, the permeability of nearby vessels increases, redness, tissue swelling, and itching occur.

A focus of inflammation is created, a point of recruitment of cells capable of coping with the foreign agent. The body begins to react to the pathogen and activates protective functions, and also devotes strength to eliminating the negative factor. Basophils are a kind of “scouts” that find the source of inflammation and give a signal about its location.

In addition to the function of accelerating the process of suppressing allergens and preventing their spread, basophils also tend to perform additional tasks, such as:

Stabilization of blood flow in capillaries.
Transport of other groups of leukocytes to the location of the foreign agent.
Ensuring the growth of new capillaries.
Promoting tissue nutrition.
Active fight against helminths and protection from their effects on the skin, intestines and mucous membranes.
Preventing the spread of insect poisons.
Participation in the development of an allergic reaction.

Despite their small numbers, basophils have a versatile effect on the body and are involved in many protective processes.

Standards by age groups

In medical practice, the basophil index is calculated in two expressions:

VA% is a relative amount to other leukocytes; indicated in %;
BA# is an absolute amount, the norm is 0.01-0.065*10 9 grams/liter.

Determination of the number of basophils is taken into account when calculating the leukocyte formula based on a detailed analysis.

Children's norm

Indicators of the concentration of protective cells in a child are different at life stages. They become stable only by age 12. The table by age makes it possible to track jumps in the content of basophils in the blood:

In an infant, since at this age the formation of its own immune system occurs. A month later, this figure drops significantly.

This situation is considered normal and does not require treatment. The level either drops or rises to normal. Stabilization is observed only after 10 years. Children of different age categories have their own norm.

Normal for adults

The basophilic norm in men is stable at 0.5-1%. The average basophil level in women is the same. But at different periods of life it may fluctuate slightly.

Thus, elevated levels may indicate an increase in estrogen levels. As a rule, this phenomenon is observed at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and during ovulation.

Levels below 0.01*10 9 grams/liter are consistently called basopenia. This is normal during pregnancy (1st trimester). A similar condition may occur after an X-ray examination or after rubella.

The permissible fluctuation is 0—0.2*10 9 grams/liter. Basophil levels can change for various reasons. Most often this means that a pathological process is developing.

Donating blood for analysis

The levels of basophils in the blood are checked through analysis. The biomaterial should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. The test is carried out with a detailed blood test. To do this, they make a finger fence.

This procedure requires little preparation:

You must not eat 8 hours before visiting the laboratory.
During the day, any physical activity is stopped.
Drinking alcohol and heavy food is prohibited for 24 hours.
It’s worth saving your nerves the day before. A calm emotional state helps to obtain more accurate data.

A complete blood test is a fairly popular procedure in medical practice.. But its purpose for determining the absolute content of basophils is carried out only if:

inflammatory process;
allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock;
during pregnancy.

Reasons for deviations

The results of the examination may be influenced by prolonged use of estrogen or the patient’s lack of preparation for the procedure. Therefore, it is very important not to donate blood without appropriate preparation and to warn your doctor about medications that are taken during the month.

An increased result indicates:

An increase in estrogen in the blood.
Taking hormonal medications.
Past infectious disease.
Malfunction of the pancreas.
Benign or malignant tumor.
Presence of hepatitis.
Minor radiation exposure during medical examinations.
Blood disease.
Allergic reaction.
Failure in the endocrine system.
Surgical removal of the spleen.
For gastrointestinal diseases.
Intoxication after insect bites.

Regular excess of the absolute value - 0.065 * 10 9 grams / liter is called basophilia. It can develop in a child due to allergies.

In adults, the number of “scout cells” may be reduced due to:

Infectious disease.
Exposure to stress.
Hyperthyroidism.
Cushing's disease.
Active activity of the thyroid gland.
In case of abnormalities in the functioning of the adrenal glands.
Pneumonia.

Stabilization of the indicator

If basophilia or basopenia occurs as a result of a disease, then first you need to undergo a course of treatment. In other cases, you need to reconsider your diet. For example, vitamin B12 is actively involved in the formation of blood cells.

Therefore, it is worth increasing your consumption:

Meat.
Milk.
Liver.

You should eat foods containing large amounts of iron more often. This is fish and seafood. Moderate consumption of dry white wine activates the absorption of iron. Orange juice also contributes to this process.

It is worth giving up bad habits: drinking alcohol and smoking.

Basophils are a marker of the presence of foreign agents in the body. This indicator is diagnosed only with a detailed blood test; its value is used in a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s condition. An increase or absence of this type of leukocytes indicates pathological processes, which means that additional examinations are necessary.

Basophils in blood tests are most often presented as percentages in the composition, and not as the absolute content of basophils. This is logical, since they act together with other leukocytes, which suppress aggressive elements that have entered the body.

For example, basophils, by secreting a factor called chemotaxis, “invites” them to the site of inflammation or an allergic reaction to combat their cause. Conventionally, basophils, despite their small number, have been assigned the role of a partial regulator of the efforts of leukocytes in eliminating foci of inflammation.

Basophils tend to participate in organizing an acute allergic reaction to exposure to allergens, which is called anaphylactic shock. Since shock is an immediate reaction, people who struggle with allergies should know in advance what to do if this condition occurs.

Basophils are granular leukocytes that are actively involved in allergic and inflammatory reactions. They are the smallest group of the leukocyte unit. They perform their main functions in the tissues, where they remain for up to twelve days.

Basophils appear transiently in the blood. That is, for them it is exclusively a transport medium into which they enter after formation in the bone marrow. They circulate in the blood for several hours and then move into the tissues.

Functions of basophils

For reference. Participation in ensuring the body’s protective reactions is realized due to the content of specific granules in basophils, containing mediators of inflammatory and allergic reactions.

Basophils contain in large quantities:

histamine (the main mediator of allergic reactions, which, in the form of a complex with heparin, accumulates basophils and mast cells);
heparin (prevents blood clotting, that is, it is a direct anticoagulant);
serotonin (an important neurotransmitter, the so-called “happiness hormone”);
leukotrienes (mediators of allergic and inflammatory reactions. They play an important role in the pathogenesis of the development of bronchial asthma, as they are responsible for the appearance of bronchospasm).

Basophils also contain prostaglandins. They are important hormone-like substances that:

participate in the inflammatory response and pyrogenic reactions (fever);
increase sensitivity to pain;
promote vasodilation (expansion of the lumen of blood vessels);
reduce platelet aggregation;
participate in the regulation of uterine contractions in pregnant women, etc.

In addition, basophils are capable of actively secreting eosinophil chemotaxis factor. This is a substance that promotes the rapid migration of eosinophils to the site of an allergic reaction or inflammation.

Important. All the main functions of basophils are provided precisely by their degranulation, that is, the destruction of specific granules and the release of active substances after the basophil meets the antigen.

The action of basophils in allergies is similar to the mechanism of mast cells.

With the development of an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, the active movement of basophils begins to the place of greatest accumulation of the allergen. After this, the process of degranulation begins; immunoglobulin E acts as a trigger for the destruction of basophil granules.

After the release of mediators, the following begins:

active allergen binding;
development of an inflammatory response;
increased blood flow at the site of the reaction;
regulation of blood clotting;
local increase in the permeability of vascular walls;
migration of other cells (eosinophils, monocytes, neutrophils) into the lesion, in response to the release of chemotaxis factors.

For reference. Basophils play an important role in the utilization of allergens and limiting their spread throughout the body.

The norm of basophils in the blood

Based on the importance of the functions that basophils perform, one would assume that their quantitative value in a blood test (that is, the absolute content of basophils) would have important diagnostic value. However, this is not quite true.

The content of basophils in human blood is quite low, but despite this, they perform important tasks for the body. These bodies are a type of leukocytes that secrete biologically active substances during inflammatory and allergic processes. Since this blood component is responsible for the implementation of an immediate allergic reaction, most often basophils are increased in adults with the development of anaphylactic shock, hay fever, bronchial asthma, as well as with the bites of bees, wasps and poisonous snakes.

Since this blood component has an informative function, it is necessary to talk in more detail about the reasons for the increase in basophils in the blood in adults and children.

As we have already said, the main task of basophils is to participate in the formation of a response to the inflammatory process or the penetration of an allergen into the body.

If we look in more detail, basophils perform the following functions:

block and suppress antigens;
stop the migration of foreign particles throughout the body;
support immunity;
regulate capillary permeability and tone;
maintain water and colloid balance in the body;
take part in phagocytosis;
participate in the process of blood clotting.

An increased content of basophils in the bloodstream is called basophilia. If your blood test has determined that the number of basophils is increased, then this condition should not be ignored. In this case, you need to consult a specialist, first of all, a general practitioner.

Percentage of basophils in a blood test: what does it mean?

The number of basophils in blood test results throughout the world is usually expressed as a percentage relative to other leukocytes.

Thus, the normal result of a blood test in adults looks like this:

band leukocytes – 1-6%;
segmented neutrophils – 47-72%;
eosinophils – 0.5-5%;
basophilic cells – 0-1%;
lymphocytes – 19-37%;
monocytes – 3-11%.

In a newborn child, the number of basophils in the leukocyte formula is 0.75%, in a child of the first year of life – 0.6%.

The percentage of basophils in the leukocyte formula is a relative indicator.

What is the absolute content of basophils in a blood test?

The absolute content of basophils is a more accurate indicator and allows you to estimate the true number of such cells in the blood.

Normally, the absolute basophil index ranges from 0.01 to 0.065 * 10 9 / l or 0.3 nanoliters per liter of blood.

Increased basophils: causes

The reasons that the number of basophils in the blood is increased in an adult may be both physiological and pathological factors.

Among the pathological causes of basophilia, the following should be noted:

ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle in women. During this period, a large amount of estrogen is released into the blood, which causes basophilia. Also, if you are taking medications that contain estrogens, you should inform the doctor who ordered the general clinical blood test to avoid misinterpretation of the test results;
period of convalescence after infectious diseases;
after X-ray examinations, since small doses of radiation can increase basophils in the blood.

But most often the number of basophilic leukocytes increases in various diseases and pathological conditions, namely:

hypofunction of the thyroid gland;
immediate allergic reaction;
chronic myeloid leukemia;
polycythemia;
acute leukemia;
lymphogranulomatosis;
acute viral infections;
Hodgkin's lymphoma;
chronic inflammation of the colon;
Crohn's disease;
chronic dermatitis;
anemia due to hemolysis of red blood cells;
chronic inflammation of the sinuses;
condition after removal of the spleen;
radiation sickness;
taking medications that suppress thyroid function;
hyperestrogenemia.

An increase in basophils in the blood of a child: when can it happen?

In a child’s blood, the absolute number of basophils should not be more than 0.2*10 9 /l.

If basophilic leukocytes are elevated in a child, then we can assume that he is suffering from some disease, namely:

acute viral infection, such as chickenpox;
helminthiasis;
allergies;
diseases of the blood system (myeloid leukemia, iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia and others);
inflammatory diseases (chronic sinusitis, ulcerative colitis).

Also, the number of basophils may be increased due to the development of the body's reaction to insect bites such as bees or wasps.

Considering that high levels of basophils in a child’s blood can be a signal of a life-threatening disease, for example, leukemia, it is necessary to urgently consult a pediatrician for a comprehensive examination.

Examples of interpretation of some results of a general blood test

Pediatrician Komarovsky believes that a well-conducted and correctly interpreted blood test allows one to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one.

Increased monocytes along with basophils

Eosinophils are elevated along with basophils

Eosinophilic and basophilic leukocytes in the body are responsible for the formation of an allergic reaction. Therefore, these indicators most often increase against the background of allergies of any nature.

If you or your child have an increased level of basophils in their blood, this does not always mean that you are sick with something, but you still cannot do without consulting a specialist. Adults need to see a general practitioner, and children need to see a pediatrician. Only a doctor, after conducting a comprehensive examination of the body, will be able to determine the cause of such changes in the blood.

Watch a video about basophils.

Basophils are formed in the structures of the bone marrow and represent a special type of leukocyte. They, like other white blood elements, are part of the immune system, and in terms of content they form the smallest group. The condition when basophils are elevated in an adult is called basophilia. This in itself is not considered a disease, but may be one of the symptoms of a health problem. Read more about what this is later in the article.

The role of basophils in the body

Baso-elements of blood perform the following functions:

participate in the formation of immediate type immune reactions;
block the action of toxins, preventing their spread through the bloodstream;
support the protective functions of the body, including through participation in phagocytosis;
responsible for the permeability and tone of small blood vessels;
ensure the maintenance of optimal water and colloid balance;
affect the blood clotting mechanism.

That is why they, or rather their level, can significantly influence the state and well-being.

Reasons for the increase in basophil levels

Their normal proportion in the blood of an adult is in the range from 0.5 to 1% of the total volume, which in absolute value is 0.3 nanoliters per liter of blood. If the content is significantly higher than the norm, then there are problems and you should be wary, because an increase in these indicators can be caused by reasons due to:
development of pathological processes in the body;
human physiology.

Pathological

Oncological diseases, associated with myeloproliferation, when an excess amount of protective blood elements is produced - and others. If their percentage is increased, then a full diagnosis may reveal, for example:
1. chronic myeloid leukemia is a blood disease in which the level of leukocytes changes significantly and an abnormally large number of immature granulocytes appear;
2. carcinoma is a malignant tumor consisting of epithelial cells of the organs on the basis of which it is formed. The process affects, among other things, blood vessels and is the cause of the development of basophilia;
3. lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic structures. The disease leads to an increase in the number of white blood elements, including basophils;
Allergies. The individual reaction of the immune system to certain medications, food and other external and internal stimuli leads to the formation of a high concentration of basophils. When allergens affect the body, histamine is released, which leads to the appearance of characteristic symptoms:
1. swelling and lacrimation;
2. skin itching;
3. the appearance of a rash on the body.
Infectious lesions. Regardless of the type of pathogenic microflora, exposure to pathogens provokes the production of an excess amount of white blood cells, which a blood test will certainly “inform” about. A large number of protective cells is necessary for the body to resist pathogens.
Endocrine disorders. With dysfunction of the internal secretion organs, endocrinopathy is formed, which can lead to basophilia. This happens when:
1. - insufficient functionality of the thyroid gland, which results in a deficiency of the hormones it produces;
2. – a pathology that occurs due to disruption of the pancreas, leading to an increase in blood glucose levels. At the same time, the number of basophils also increases, which negatively affects the body’s ability to resist infections.
Anemia. With anemia caused by iron deficiency, the volume of red blood cells - erythrocytes - decreases. At the same time, as a rule, the level of basophils increases. The same can be observed with hemolytic anemia.

Article on the topic:

Symptoms of anemia in women. Methods of treatment and prevention of anemia

Acute and chronic intestinal pathologies. Thus, the basophilicity of the blood increases with perforation of its walls or ulcerative colitis.

Physiological

In some cases, an increase in the number of basophils is explained by physiology and is observed:

in women, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, when the concentration of estrogen in the blood increases;
during the recovery period after a severe infectious disease;
when regularly receiving radiation doses, as happens with medical specialists who work in X-ray rooms for a long time;
while taking oral contraceptives and other drugs high in estrogen;
during emergency medical care, during which hormones are introduced into the body;
in cases of various types of intoxication, including poisoning.

Thus, there are many reasons for the development of basophilia. To find out exactly what disorder in the body led to the anomaly, additional diagnostics are prescribed.

Signs of elevated basophil levels

It was previously said that the very fact of a high content of special white blood cells is not a separate pathology, and therefore does not have specific symptoms. Since basophilia often develops against the background of a disease, its manifestations are considered to be signs of the pathology that became the cause. For example:

with myeloproliferative conditions, the size of the spleen increases, which leads to discomfort and pain in the abdomen;
with anemia, loss of strength, weakness and headaches are felt;
when digestion processes slow down, which leads to constipation. In addition, muscle pain and a feeling of stiffness in the joints, as well as weight gain, are troubling.

Article on the topic:

Signs of hypothyroidism in women after 50 years. Symptoms and methods of treatment with folk remedies

Video

Prevention of basophilia

Prevention of an increase in basophils comes down to implementing a list of measures to prevent the development of pathologies that cause it:

If you are prone to allergic reactions, you should:

avoid contact with irritants;
have antihistamines with you, just in case;
Periodically visit an allergist and take the necessary tests.

Each person's body naturally produces several types of leukocytes (white blood cells formed in the bone marrow, from where they travel through the circulatory system to various organs).

Basophils are a type of white blood cell. They are part of the immune system and play a role in protecting the body.

If basophils are elevated in an adult, this indicates a gland, certain types (leukemia, leukemia), various inflammatory processes and much more.

Abnormal changes in the number of these small groups of white blood cells have a variety of causes, from “minor” to “usually fatal.” What this means is that the search for the true cause is carried out by eliminating or confirming each possibility - in other words, diagnosis.

What role do basophils play?

During the development of inflammation and infectious process in the wound, this small group of leukocytes helps prevent these pathological processes.

In addition to fighting viruses, infections, and protecting the immune system, basophils play a role in:

Prevention of blood clotting - basophils contain heparin (a direct anticoagulant, a substance that prevents blood clotting).
Various allergic reactions - in allergic reactions, the immune system is exposed to an allergen. Basophils release histamine during allergic reactions. Basophils also play a role in the body producing an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE).

This antibody (protein compounds in the blood plasma produced when bacteria and viruses invade a person) binds to basophils and a similar type of cell called mast cells (mast cells, mast cells).

These cells release substances such as histamine and serotonin and interfere with the inflammatory process in the body caused by exposure to an allergen.

What is the normal basophil level?

Basophils make up less than three percent of the total number of leukocytes.

The normal level of these granular leukocytes in the blood is 0.01 – 0.065 * 109 g/l.

Normal basophil levels as a percentage by age:

Up to 1 year: 0.4 – 0.9%
From 1 year to 20 years: 0.6 – 1%
Over 21 years of age: 0.5 – 1%

The only way to study the level of basophils in the blood. They are carried out during general (clinical) tests when diagnosing any diseases or pathological processes in a patient.

Causes of elevated basophil levels in adults?

The following reasons can provoke an increase in basophils in the blood:

Hyperthyroidism: a disease in which the production of thyroid hormones is too low.

If your thyroid hormone levels are low, it causes your body to function more slowly.

Symptoms include:

Swelling of the face;
Hoarse voice;
Hair fragility;
Rough skin;
Weight gain;
Constipation;
Feelings of discomfort due to a drop in body temperature.

Myeloproliferative disorders: a process in which the body has an excess amount of white blood cells, red blood cells or platelets formed in the bone marrow (an organ of the hematopoietic system). The disorder rarely progresses to leukemia.

Leukemia is an oncological disease of the blood and hematopoietic organs due to the fact that bone marrow cells (erythrocytes, platelets) mutate.

The main types of myeloproliferative disorders include:

Polycythemia Rabra Vera (PRV): This is a blood disorder leading to overproduction of red blood cells. Symptoms include feeling tired, weak and short of breath.
Myelofibrosis: The disorder occurs when fibrous connective tissue replaces the blood-forming cells in the bone marrow and causes anemia, enlarged and unusually shaped red blood cells. Symptoms include feeling tired, persistent bleeding, fever and bone pain.
Thrombocythemia: This disorder causes an overproduction of platelets, leading to blood clotting or, less commonly, constant bleeding. Symptoms include burning, redness and tingling in the arms and legs. You may also have cold fingertips.

Autoimmune inflammation: This happens when your immune system attacks your own body.

Symptoms include:

Inflamed joints;
Fever;
Muscle pain.

: a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, causing shortness of breath and suffocation.

Symptoms:

Cough;
Dyspnea;
Strong audible wheezing.

Allergy: High levels of these white blood cells also occur in cases of allergic reactions to urticaria and rhinitis due to the interaction of a small group of white blood cells with histamines.

Accompanied by symptoms such as:

Itching or burning of the skin in the nose;
Redness;
Edema;
Nasal congestion.

: When autoimmune polyglandular syndrome is characterized by poor functioning of the pancreas, it leads to diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by abnormally high blood sugar levels.

The pancreas is involved in the production of insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels. However, if there is a malfunction, the pancreas impairs insulin secretion, which causes elevated blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is also marked by an increase in the concentration of basophils. Although this small group of cells will increase in number, too much sugar in the bloodstream will impair their ability to fight infections.

Symptoms:

Dry mouth and thirst;
Weight loss;
Excessive urination;
Chronic fatigue, feeling of weakness, irritability;
Tingling sensation in fingers;

Here is a small list of commonly occurring pathologies (diseases) in patients with abnormally elevated levels of basophils in the blood:

Lupus nephritis, ;
Asthma;
Chronic myeloid leukemia;
Collagen vascular disease;
Chickenpox;
Low progesterone;
Severe allergic reactions;
Diabetes.

All these pathological conditions occur when the number of basophils has increased to 0.2 * 109/L or more, this phenomenon is also called “basophilia”.

Attention! After surgery to remove the spleen, patients' levels of these white blood cells rise and remain high for the rest of their lives, and this is not considered a disease.

Treatment of basophilia

Therapy consists of treating the underlying condition that has caused an excessive increase in these white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Basophilia associated with infections, allergies, or allergies is usually not a cause for concern.

However, if basophilia occurs as a result of bone marrow cancer, then it is a serious problem and requires immediate treatment.

Bone marrow transplant - transplant surgery is performed in severe cases such as leukemia.
Antiallergic drugs - they are prescribed for basophilia caused by allergic reactions that lead to respiratory diseases.
In cases of hypothyroidism, taking hormonal drugs and medications such as L-thyroxine and L-Thyroxine 50 Berlin-Chemie (levothyroxine sodium) leads to normalization of basophil levels (be sure to consult a doctor before purchasing and taking drugs).
If iron deficiency is the cause of basophilia, then treatment is carried out by taking iron supplements (Actiferrin, Tardiferon, Sorbifer Durules).
Bacterial infections causing the phenomenon are treated with antibiotics.

Important role in normalizing the level of these leukocytes can play, which is administered by injection, it is also recommended to eat meat, eggs and milk, these products contain a sufficient amount of vitamin B12.

This vitamin helps normalize the formation of new blood cells and improves the functioning of the bone marrow.

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