Total basophil content. What are the norms of basophils in the blood. Important functions of a small group

Basophils are the smallest group of leukocytes that are produced in the granulocytic center of hematopoiesis, like eosinophils and neutrophils.

The peculiarity of the structure of these cells is a large two-segment nucleus and many granules.

The functional activity of basophils is supported biologically active substances: histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin.

What are basophils responsible for?

Like other cells of the leukocyte group, basophils control inflammatory processes in the body.

Due to their mobility and ability to migrate outside the bloodstream, they provide the manifestation of allergic reactions.

Thus, they are the same supporting cells of the immune system as platelets and mast cells.

When entering the affected area, basophils release inflammatory mediators, which lead to itching, swelling or redness. Also, leukocytes of this type are responsible for the movement of blood flow, ensuring the process of blood clotting in case of vascular damage.

Thus, basophils perform the following functions:

Preventing the effects of allergens on the body;
Maintaining the tone of blood vessels and capillaries;
Mobilization protective forces;
Ensuring blood clotting and the process of phagocytosis;
Control of skin metabolism;
Block the spread of poisons and toxins.

What is "baso"?

IN laboratory analysis The level of basophils is designated by the term “baso” - the number of cells per liter of blood. The norm is considered to be an indicator not exceeding 1%, which is typical for white cells in a calm state.

Basophils are normal

The percentage depends on the age and gender of the person.

The children's basophil rate is slightly lower than that of adults and can vary from 0.4 to 1%. In women, due to periodic increases in estrogen levels during PMS, the amount of baso may increase.

With a pathologically elevated level of basophils in the blood, basophilia is diagnosed - a disease that is provoked by excessive production of basophils by the liver and bone marrow.

Reasons for an increase above normal

The reasons for the increase in basophils are:

The level of basophils is assessed on the basis of a general blood test done in the morning on an empty stomach. Timely diagnosis allows you to identify diseases before the onset of pathology.

Causes of increase in adults

Increased production of basophils always has a reason.

This pathology often results from:

Reasons for increase in a child

An increase in the level of basophils in the blood of children indicates a powerful protective reaction of the body.

Such an irritant could be:

The exact cause of the development of pathology can only be determined by a specialist based on a comprehensive study.

Reasons for the decrease in basophils

At reduced level basophils, basopenia is diagnosed. The leading cause of this disease is a decrease in the leukocyte reserve in the body.

The corresponding condition is observed when:

Pneumonia;
Infectious diseases;
Hyperthyroidism;
Poor nutrition;
Nervous exhaustion.

Infectious disease pneumonia

Basopenia can also be diagnosed in women in the first trimester of pregnancy during active fetal development. In this case, this process is absolutely natural.

There is no effective course of treatment for patients with basophilia. The percentage of basophils in the blood reaches normal levels immediately after eliminating the cause that led to their decrease or increase.

Often, to recover, it is enough to take a course of vitamins, as well as stop antithyroid drugs and reduce the level of the estrogen hormone.

As a preventive measure when basophil levels increase, you should regularly include in your diet:

Milk;
Meat;
Eggs;
Kidneys.

These animal products contain sufficient amounts of vitamin B12, which is necessary to support the process of hematopoiesis. Also useful will be liver, seafood, buckwheat, apples, beets, which contain iron.

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Conclusion

There are many indicators of increased basophils in the blood. This may be a manifestation of serious inflammatory and allergic reactions in the body.

It must be remembered that an increase in basophil levels cannot be ignored.

Timely comprehensive research and subsequent treatment will allow you to get rid of the disease without serious consequences.

For the most part, only doctors know what the norm of basophils should be, what kind of particles they are and what responsibilities they have.

But these cells play vital role in protecting humans from harmful organisms: deviations in the content of basophils in the blood from the norm may indicate the development of some serious diseases.

Basophils are one of the smallest types of leukocytes, white blood cells. They are produced by human bone marrow.

After birth, basophilic leukocytes move into the blood for several hours, after which they live in the body tissue.

The lifespan of basophils is short - only twelve days, but all this time white blood cells try to fulfill their purpose: to protect a person from harmful organisms.

Basophils consist of biologically active substances - serotonin, histamine, heparin, which have the form of granules.

The protective function of cells is to detect harmful organisms (usually various allergens) and neutralize uninvited guests through degranulation.

This means that during contact with foreign cells, basophils disintegrate, releasing biologically active granular substances, thereby binding pests.

As a result of degranulation, an inflammatory focus is formed, which attracts other groups of leukocytes that can destroy harmful organisms or remove them from the human body.

This increases blood flow, allowing white blood cells to reach the affected area faster.

We can say that basophils are the first line of defense of the human body in defense against harmful organisms. Their main function is to detect allergens, stop their further advance and call for help.

The norm of basophils in the blood is usually measured as a percentage. The indicator indicates the proportion of basophilic leukocytes in the total number of white blood cells.

Some laboratories determine the basophil level in absolute terms. In men, as in women, over 12 years of age, values from 0.5 to 1 percent, or 10 - 65 * 10 12 cells per liter of blood, are considered healthy.

For a newborn child, the norm is 0.75%; when the baby is one month old, it is 0.5%. In year normal value is considered 0.6%, up to twelve years - 0.7%.

It should be noted that the percentage of basophils in leukocytes is not always informative.

For example, in women in the last trimester of pregnancy, the total number of white blood cells increases significantly, which somewhat distorts the overall picture. During the onset of the menstrual cycle and during ovulation, the total number of basophils increases.

After surgery to remove the spleen, the patient’s basophilic leukocyte count will be higher than that of a healthy person.

As a rule, the number of basophils in the human body is constant. Only in some ailments, which are quite rare, temporary deviations from the norm are observed, so a detailed blood test is very important.

If the number of basophils increases relative to the norm, doctors diagnose basophilia; if the number decreases, they diagnose basopenia.

Deviations from the norm

The number of basophils exceeds the norm, as a rule, with allergic reactions (urticaria, dermatitis, eczema) and diseases circulatory system(spicy and chronic leukemia, polycythemia, lymphogranulomatosis).

In addition, basophilia can be a sign of the development of an inflammatory process in the body. The human body fights the disease and triggers immune reactions. As a rule, in this case the deviation from the norm is insignificant.

In addition, an increased number of basophils may indicate the presence of organ diseases gastrointestinal tract(ulcer duodenum or stomach, ulcerative colitis), diabetes mellitus, insufficient production pancreas hormones.

Poisoning of the body with various toxins, long-term use corticosteroids and hormonal drugs can also cause deviations from the norm in a larger direction. Sometimes at the initial stage cancer lungs or bronchi, the number of basophils also increases.

If the number of basophilic leukocytes is below normal, this indicates the development of infectious diseases, hyperthyroidism (increased production of hormones by the pancreas) or hypercortisolism (excessive activity of the adrenal cortex).

Scientists have proven that during stressful situations, excessive physical activity and exhaustion of the body, the content of basophils in the blood may decrease.

In addition, women in the pregnant position may suffer from basopenia. early pregnancy. This is due to an increase in blood volume in the body, while the number of basophils remains unchanged.

A deviation in the content of basophilic leukocytes from the norm may be due to improper preparation for the test.

Doctors warn that you must donate blood for testing on an empty stomach.

The last meal should be at least eight hours before the test. The day before blood sampling, it is prohibited to eat heavy and fatty foods, drink alcohol, or play sports.

If the patient has exactly this situation, then it is imperative to warn the doctor before taking the test about all the medications he is taking. The doctor will definitely take this factor into account when obtaining the result and deciphering the data.

If a detailed blood test shows a deviation in the number of basophils from the norm, this may indicate the presence of various diseases.

In this case, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations to make an accurate diagnosis and correct treatment.

The smallest, slowest, but largest shaped structural unit of leukocytes is the basophil. Like all other leukocyte cells, they are formed in the hematopoietic organ (bone marrow), where, under the influence of special inducers, these primary cells are stimulated to divide.

After the four-day division process, a period (5 days) of special structure and formation begins, where the cells “acquire” functional specialization.

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Basophils - what are they?

These amazing cells are represented in the body by three varieties - segmented basophilic granulocytes (basophilic leukocyte cells), mastocytes (tissue structure basophils) and pituitary basophils. In the last two species, the ripening process takes place in the bloodstream, and segmented basophilic leukocyte components enter it from the hematopoietic organ in the form of an already formed cell.

Although these three types of leukocytes have direct “related roots,” they differ in their structure and specific functional capabilities. All structural leukocyte components are characterized by immunocompetence with a very narrow “specialization”. Some are engaged in defense and building a protective barrier against the introduction of “alien enemies,” completely destroying everything. Others choose - selective phagocytosis.

But to use selective tactics, cells must have the ability to recognize “enemy agents.” This is precisely the property that segmented leukocytes have, taking on the functions of antiallergic responsibility.

The main responsibilities for which adult basophils are responsible are due to:

1) Immediate manifestation of hypersensitivity ( allergic reaction immediate type). When “enemies” are identified, the plasma cell membrane ruptures. Granulomatous release and secretion of various protective chemical agents occurs:

The released heparin leads to activation of microcirculation, which improves blood flow in small vessels and tissue nutrition, and promotes new capillary growth. Its anti-coagulation property prevents the formation of blood clots and promotes the process of platelet aggregation (gluing), preventing hemorrhagic manifestations;
The release of biogenic amines (histamine) causes an increase in vascular permeability, thereby promoting an increased flow of fluid into the area of inflammation;
The isolated degranulated serotonin activates platelets and helps to increase vascular permeability in the capillaries, simultaneously expanding the vascular lumens;
The formation of a significant amount of leukotriene “A4” by basophils attracts phagocytic cells (eosinophils) to places where they accumulate, promoting phagocytosis and protecting them from infections.

2) Delayed hypersensitivity caused by contact with tissue, or protein and allergen, due to:

Extensive tissue damage from burns;
Pathologies of a tumor or viral nature;
Various insect bites.

All of these processes cause cellular infiltration that attracts phagocytic cells (monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils), each with its own specific phagocytic mission. The first sign of this type of reaction in adults is the formation of erythematous fields with the formation of a liquid infiltrate.

The combination of basophils and eosinophils present in the plasma is direct evidence of a hypersensitivity reaction.

3) Interaction of factors local immunity. Granulocytes and tissue leukocyte cells (mabocytes) play a dominant role in the local immune system, which is associated with the mechanism of protection of the mucous membranes and skin.

Basophils build a kind of shield against antigens, preventing their penetration into the blood. Which reduces the spread of infections and tissue inflammation reactions. As a result of this work, the protective factor in the form of an immune response is manifested by redness, swelling and blistering.

In newborn children, basophils may be completely absent or reach 4%, gradually decreasing by one year of age to 1.2%. These indicators can easily change after the baby cries, with the start of complementary feeding, with illness and temperature changes. In the normal condition of the child, by the period of puberty the level of segmented granulocytes in the blood is compared with the adult standard.

obvious allergic reaction

What the indicator of elevated basophils in the blood in adults can indicate is, first of all, a signal about inflammatory and allergic reactions occurring in the body. The quantitative content of granulocytes in the blood is a kind of marker of the state of the immune system.

In principle, their number is not a diagnostic criterion, but often their functional activity allows a specialist to assess certain pathological conditions.

For example, the presence of chronic leukemia in combination with a basophilic crisis (a large number of basophilic cells) indicates the imminent approach of the terminal blast phase. Or their increase upon repeated encounter with an allergen (food, drug, or insect poison) can trigger the development of anaphylactic shock, which is deadly.

Conditions in which the level of basophils in the blood of an adult is increased are called basophilia. Excessive quantitative increase is a rare phenomenon. Their absolute value is not constant and depends on many factors.

The main reasons for the increase in basophils are due to:

Acute and chronic pathologies in the respiratory, urinary and gastrointestinal systems;
Maximema and hemolytic anemia;
Chickenpox and the development of diabetes;
Oncological neoplasms in bronchial and pulmonary tissues;
Various types of intoxications;
Consequence of reception hormonal drugs for endocrine pathologies;
Taking corticosteroid and estrogen-containing drugs.

The manifestation of basophilia in women is typical in the initial period of menstruation and during the ovulation process. Another reason for a high level of granulocytes is a decrease in red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood as a result of the development of hematological syndrome (anemia).

Pathologies caused by allergies or a wide group of diseases of the hematopoietic system are the most common causes of the development of basophilia in children. What can elevated basophils mean in a child? This is, first of all, the main symptom of a depleted and incompetent immune system.

Reasons for the decrease or absence of basophils

A decrease in the level of segmented granulocytes, or complete absence basophils in the structural composition of leukocytes is called basopenia. Such a manifestation may indicate a significant decrease in phagocytic functions and a violation of the body’s ability to adequately respond to the manifestation of allergy reactions. This is facilitated by:

Presence of acute infectious diseases;
Excessive hormonal activity of the thyroid gland and hyperactivity of the adrenal glands;
Stressful situations and exhaustion of the body;
Excessive activity and stress.

But not every condition with basopenia is a pathology and requires a drug response. Often the return to normal goes away on its own or is considered normal.

For example, at the beginning of pregnancy, basopenia is the norm, since its manifestation is due to an increase in the total blood volume, characteristic in this condition, against the background of which the number of segmented granulocytes, remaining within normal limits, is shown in the leukocyte analysis to be a reduced level per volume unit liquid fraction.

How to bring basophils back to normal?

If an increase in basophils is detected in the tests, it is the prerogative of the doctor to deal with the problem. Self-treatment will not give results and will only harm your health. basis therapeutic treatment, is the relief of background pathology. Reason due to prolonged use hormone therapy, can be stopped by stopping the drugs or replacing them with similar ones, without side effects.

At the end of the drug course of treatment of infections and inflammation processes, auxiliary vitamin therapy is prescribed to restore the structural composition of the blood. These can be complex vitamin preparations, an individually selected diet, rich in products, containing group “B” vitamins, which helps improve hematopoietic processes.

Long-term manifestation of signs of basophilia is a clear presence of a course of chronic pathologies that need to be urgently diagnosed and eliminated.

The prognosis of basophilia and basopenia depends on successful treatment the main reason that caused the quantitative structural instability of leukocyte cells, and the level of viability of immune functions.

Timely treatment pathological conditions and regular monitoring of basophil levels can protect against many diseases.

Basophils (basophilic granulocytes) are a type of white blood cells that are involved in the development of allergic reactions. A significant increase in the level of basophils in the blood is called basophilia and can be observed in some autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Basophils are capable of producing active substances that affect the processes of inflammation, blood circulation and thrombus formation, which contributes to the following functions:

In an adult, the level of basophils in the blood may differ depending on the physiological characteristics of the body and the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Causes of elevated basophils in adults

An increase in basophil levels may be the body's reaction to physiological processes, and one of the symptoms of the development of a number of systemic pathologies and diseases internal organs.

Natural reasons that result in an increase in the number of basophils in peripheral blood are as follows:

menstrual cycle in women;
use of contraceptives with a large amount of estrogen in the composition;
small doses of radiation (frequent x-ray procedures);
recovery period after infections;
pregnancy.

Pathological causes of increased basophils in the blood can be classified as follows:

allergy;
blood diseases;
pathology thyroid gland.

Allergic reactions

After an allergen enters the body, basophils form a hypersensitivity reaction, which differs in type:

anaphylactic – general or local reactions body to an allergen, accompanied by the release of histamine from basophils.
cytotoxic - the appearance of antibodies to the allergen causes an autoimmune response at the intracellular level and hemolytic pathologies.
immunocomplex - the formation of immune complexes in tissues that cause damage blood vessels, joints, kidneys, etc.
delayed-type hypersensitivity - the slow development of allergies to molecular compounds formed as a result of prolonged exposure to internal and external allergens (for example, consumption medications or skin contact with chromium).

Diseases that are accompanied by allergic reactions and increased levels of basophils:

Allergies to wool, metal, food, pollen and flowering plants, etc.
Goodpasture's syndrome - autoimmune disease with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis caused by the accumulation of specific antibodies in the basement membranes of the renal and pulmonary capillaries.
Serum sickness is an allergic reaction that occurs after injections, solutions and other medicines. An immune response to foreign antibodies and an increased level of basophils in the blood can be observed when using anti-diphtheria, anti-botulinum, anti-tetanus and other serums.
Exogenous allergic alveolitis is an inflammatory process in the alveoli and bronchioles of the lungs caused by external factors influences such as fungal spores, plant and house dust, bacterial spores, some medications.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disorder of a genetic or acquired nature and is accompanied by the development of chronic inflammation connective tissue small joints.
Systemic lupus erythematosus – autoimmune pathology with inflammatory reactions of connective tissue in the vessels of internal organs, skin, etc.
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the kidneys that occurs as a result of a number of systemic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic endocarditis). Glomerulonephritis causes edema, hypertension, and urinary retention.
Vasculitis is an autoimmune inflammation of all types of blood vessels, which leads to disruption of the structure and functions of all internal organs.
Contact dermatitis is skin irritation resulting from negative influence external environment. With contact dermatitis, basophils accumulate in the affected tissues and cause swelling, blisters, erosion, and peeling.
Bronchial asthma is an allergic disease respiratory tract, caused by functional changes in work immune cells. Asthma is accompanied by mucus secretion, coughing, difficulty breathing, and suffocation.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a disease endocrine system with damage to pancreatic cells and insufficient insulin secretion. The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes include hypoglycemia, decreased digestibility of food, and increased thirst.

Blood diseases

Blood diseases (myeloproliferative) are disorders in the functioning of the bone marrow, which result in an increase in the production of stem cells, as well as improper maturation of granular leukocytes. With myeloproliferative pathologies, basophils and other forms of leukocytes increase significantly, and the number of red blood cells and platelets also changes:

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a pathological proliferation of tissues that form all types of granular leukocytes. As a result of the development of myeloid leukemia, the level of monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils in the plasma increases. At an advanced stage the disease manifests itself dystrophic changes heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, as well as intoxication, frequent bleeding, purulent-inflammatory processes.
Erythremia (polycythemia) is a chronic disorder of hematopoiesis with a pathological increase in the number of red blood cells and some forms of leukocytes, hypertrophy of the bloodstream and decreased functionality of internal organs. Erythremia manifests itself mainly in adults aged 40 to 60 years.
Myelofibrosis is a disorder of hematopoietic processes resulting from the replacement of bone marrow with connective tissue. With myelofibrosis, a large number of immature forms of basophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and erythrocytes are observed in the plasma, and anemia, malfunctions of the spleen, liver, etc. are diagnosed.
Lymphogranulomatosis (Hodgkin's cancer) - appearance malignant tumors V lymph nodes. In some forms of lymphogranumatulosis, a significant increase in all forms of leukocytes is manifested.

Hypothyroidism

When the body develops a deficiency of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). As a result hormonal imbalance the hematopoietic processes occurring in the bone marrow are disrupted. In some cases, the pathology is accompanied by the presence of increased basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils.

Normally, the relative amount of basophils in the blood should not exceed 1%. Basopenia and basophilia may indicate the presence of inflammatory processes, blood diseases, etc.

Determination of basophils within the framework of the leukocyte formula clinical analysis blood tests are carried out to identify inflammatory processes and allergic reactions.

Basophils themselves are a type of leukocyte and are blood cells derived from the granulocyte lineage.

General information

Basophils are granulocytes that are distributed in the peripheral blood. They are produced by the bone marrow and released into the serum, after which they are deposited in the tissues. Life cycle basophil is about 7-12 days.

When an inflammatory process occurs, basophils and other white cells are sent to the site. They are responsible for the production of histamine (fights allergic reactions), serotonin (a neurotransmitter that suppresses stress and depression) and heparin (an anti-blood clotting agent).

Basophils also contain prostaglandins, which, together with histamine, bind the irritant (allergen) and neutralize it. At this point, the patient notes the development of inflammatory processes (fever, fever, weakness, tissue swelling, etc.).

All this is a reaction to increased blood flow and increased permeability of blood vessels, for which basophils are responsible.

The main purpose of basophils is to participate in immediate and, less commonly, delayed hypersensitivity reactions. They are one of the first at the source of inflammation and, as it were, call on other blood cells to fight foreign agents.

This process is called phagocytosis and is one of the functions of the human immune system. If the inflammatory process continues for more than 3 days, the bone marrow begins to produce more basophils.

This condition is medically called basophilocytosis.

Basophils also influence blood clotting with the help of natural heparin, increase capillary permeability, promote the creation of new blood vessels, and stimulate the contraction of smooth muscle tissue.

Indications for analysis

Analysis for basophils is necessary in the following cases:

planned preventive control;
examination before surgery;
diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious processes, as well as blood diseases;
monitoring the effectiveness of therapy.

Decrease in quantity white taurus(basopenia) in children can cause dysfunction of the endocrine system, disruption of the hematopoietic process and, as a consequence, the development of leukemia. In women, basopenia may indicate pregnancy.

Usually, the study for basophils is not carried out separately, but the results are deciphered within the framework of the leukocyte formula. The level of basophils gives insight into various inflammatory processes, allergic reactions (important for diagnosing anaphylactic shock), and oncological diseases (blood cancer).

The construction of the leukocyte formula is carried out on the basis of a detailed clinical blood test.

Basophil norm

When deciphering the results of the leukocyte formula, the following indicators are considered normal for basophils:

newborns – 0.75%;
infants (1 month of life) – 0.5%;
infants (2-12 months) – 0.4-0.9%;
children (12 years old) – 0.7%;
teenagers (from 12 to 21 years old) – 0.6-1%;
adults (over 21 years old) – 0.5-1%.

Immediately after birth, the number of basophils in humans is increased. This is due to the formation of an independent immune system. In the first month of life, the indicator drops slightly, stabilizes by age 12, and rises again in adulthood.

In the analysis form you can see the following indicators of basophils: BA% (relative amount in percentage to other leukocytes) and BA# (absolute amount, which normally is 0.01-0.065 * 109 grams/liter).

Increased basophils (basophilia)

The condition develops when the number of basophils increases by more than 0.2*109 g/l.

Important! Basophilia can be caused by taking hormonal drugs (estrogens), antithyroid drugs.

IN clinical practice An increase in basophils is rare and is typical for:

diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (chronic form):
pathologies of the circulatory system:
individual reaction to an irritant (allergy);
stages of early remission of infectious diseases;
Hodgkin's disease (malignant pathology affecting the lymphatic system);
hypothyroidism (insufficiency of the thyroid gland, expressed in a decrease in its secretory function);
oncology (blood cancer, lung cancer).

An increase in the number of basophils indicates impaired immunity and active invasion of a foreign agent. Chronic basophilia is also observed in patients who have had their spleen removed.

Decreased basophils (basopenia)

With basopenia, the number of basophils is pathologically reduced (less than 0.01*109 g/l).

Important! A decrease in basophils is often observed in the first trimester of pregnancy, which is associated with an active increase in blood supply (liquid phase) without an increase in the number of blood cells. But in this case, basopenia is considered false and does not indicate a pathological process.

Basopenia is also observed during ovulation (mid-menstrual cycle), while taking chemotherapy drugs, corticosteroids and other medications that are “heavy” for the body.

The number of basophils can be reduced in a number of pathologies:

acute infections and diseases;
nervous and mental disorders;
hyperthyroidism (increased secretory activity of the thyroid gland);
acute pneumonia.

Only a qualified specialist can decipher the leukocyte form for the number of basophils: a therapist, an infectious disease specialist, a hematologist or a functional diagnostician.

8-12 hours before the procedure last appointment food, and 2-4 hours before - water;
The day before the analysis, the patient must refuse sports training, sexual intercourse (stress for the body), lifting weights and any other physically and psychologically stressful situations. You should also exclude from your diet spicy, fatty foods, processed foods and snacks (chips, crackers, etc.), alcoholic and tonic drinks (energy drinks, strong coffee, etc.);
Immediately before donating blood, the patient informs the doctor about taking medications and recently completed courses of drug therapy.

Source: http://www.diagnos.ru/procedures/analysis/ba

Basophils are normal

Basophils are the smallest group of leukocytes. They belong to the granulocytic subtype of white blood cells, are born and mature in the bone marrow.

From there, basophils move into the peripheral blood and circulate through the bloodstream for only a few hours. After which the cells migrate into the tissue.

They stay there for no more than twelve days and fulfill their mission: neutralizing foreign and harmful organisms that are undesirable for the human body.

Functions of basophils

Basophils contain granules of heparin, histamine, serotonin - biologically active substances.

When they come into contact with allergens, degranulation occurs, that is, the contents are removed outside the basophils. This helps bind allergens.

An inflammatory focus is formed, which attracts other groups of leukocytes that have the ability to destroy foreign and uninvited guests.

Basophils are prone to chemotaxis, that is, free movement through tissues. This movement occurs under the influence of special chemicals.

They also have a predisposition to phagocytosis - the absorption of harmful bacteria and microorganisms. But this is not the main and not natural function for basophils.

The only thing that cells must unconditionally perform is instant degranulation, which leads to increased blood flow, increased vascular permeability, and mobilization of other granulocytes directly to the site of inflammation.

So, the main purpose of basophils is to subdue allergens, limit their action and not miss progress through the body.

The norm of basophils in the blood

The standard content of basophils is usually determined as a percentage of the total leukocyte population: VA%.

The number of cells can also be measured in absolute terms: BA# 109 g/l.

The optimal number of basophils remains unchanged throughout life (x109 g/l):

minimum: 0.01;
maximum: 0.065.

The specific gravity of cells varies slightly with age. For adults, the norm is within the following limits: no less than half and no more than one percent.

For children, the optimal basophil content is interpreted unambiguously (in%):

newborn baby: 0.75;
month age: 0.5;
one-year-old child: 0.6;
up to 12 years: 0.7.

At first, the proportion of cells is larger (0.75%), then by the year it decreases and increases again. After twelve years, the percentage of basophils should already correspond to the norm for adults.

Deviations from the norm

Basophils are increased

Exceeding the norm by basophils is called basophilia. It is quite rare, but its causes are well studied and known to specialists.

First of all, this is a manifestation of an allergic reaction.

Basophilia can also accompany the following ailments:

Hematological, that is, blood diseases, in particular:
- chronic myeloid leukemia;
- lymphogranulomatosis or Hodgkin's disease: more common in adolescents, and incidence peaks are observed at 20 and 50 years of age;
- acute leukemia;
- polycythemia vera.
Chronic inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract.
Hypothyroidism.
Acute hepatitis, which is accompanied by jaundice.
Hemolytic anemia.

Taking antithyroid drugs or estrogens can also cause basophil growth.

Sometimes basophilia appears when there is not enough iron in the body. In rare cases, it warns of the appearance of a tumor in the lungs.

If a person has had an operation to remove the spleen, then basophilia will be his companion for the rest of his life.

An increase in the specific gravity of cells in women is possible at the beginning of the menstrual cycle, as well as during the ovulation period.

Basophils are reduced

A decrease in basophils beyond the normal range is basopenia. It is impossible to assess how complex it is, since the lower value of the norm is too meager.

A decrease in basophils is observed when the following pathologies are present in the body:

Acute infectious diseases.
Hyperthyroidism.
Cushing's disease and syndrome.
Pneumonia.

The reason for the decrease in basophils may be experienced stress, as well as long-term use of corticosteroids.

Basopenia is not considered a pathology for women who are pregnant. It appears in the third trimester of pregnancy. During this period, blood volumes increase rapidly, but there is an increase in plasma, not in the number of cells.

Their number remains within the normal range. Therefore, decreased basophils in women in an interesting position are a completely acceptable phenomenon.

A decrease in basophil levels below normal can occur during the period of recovery from infectious diseases.

Cells often completely disappear from the blood during chemotherapy sessions or during treatment with some other complex and difficult medications for the body.

How to return basophils to normal

There is no separate treatment that can return basophils to normal. There is therapy for ailments that are accompanied by basophilia or basopenia.

And yet, if the study reveals that the cells exceed the norm, it will not hurt to take care to increase the content of vitamin B12 and iron in the body. They will help normalize hematopoiesis and brain function.

Don't neglect natural sources, which contain B12. First of all, the diet needs to be diversified with products of animal origin: meat, milk, eggs. Soy milk and yeast also contain B12.

Help to replenish iron reserves:

veal and chicken liver;
fish;
red meat.

With moderate consumption of dry white wine, iron absorption is activated. This process can also be facilitated by orange juice, which is not prohibited from drinking in unlimited quantities (if there are no contraindications).

To regulate the level of basophils, a healthy person just needs to switch to proper nutrition and eliminate such unpleasant habits as smoking or addiction to strong drinks.

In some cases, basophils return to normal after stopping certain medical supplies– in particular, antithyroid or containing estrogens.

Source: http://OnWomen.ru/bazofily.html

Norm of basophils in a blood test, reasons for increased results

One of the most important indicators of a general clinical blood test is the calculation of the leukocyte formula.

Calculating the percentage various types leukocytes from their total number and is called the leukocyte formula.

What kind of basophil cells are they?

Basophils occupy the smallest position in the total number of leukocytes. Normally, their number does not exceed 1% of all white blood cells. They belong to granulocytes, that is, cells that have granules with various biologically active substances in their cytoplasm.

Basophil granules are intensely stained with basic aniline dye, hence the name of these cells. Under a microscope, they look like cells with a large, weakly segmented dark blue or purple nucleus (often S-shape), their cytoplasm is filled with large granules, painted in various shades of purple; the nucleus behind these granules is difficult to see.

Basophilic leukocytes are formed in the bone marrow, then they enter the bloodstream, where they circulate for only a few hours. Then they enter the tissues, where they perform their main function.

Why are basophils needed?

The main function of these cells is detoxification. They are directly involved in immune reactions body.

Basophil granules contain histamine, heparin, serotonin, leukotrienes, as well as factors that attract neutrophils and eosinophils to the site of inflammation.

In tissues there are mast cells - analogues of basophils. They are very similar to each other in structure and function. Scientists are still arguing about their origin. For a long time It was believed that basophils, when moving into tissues, turn into mast cells. Now a more reliable version is that they differentiate much earlier and, possibly, originate from the same predecessor.

Basophils, like mast cells, have receptors for Ig E on their membrane (these are antibodies that are produced by lymphocytes in response to an allergen). When a foreign protein enters the body, it binds to Ig E, and the mechanism of degranulation of basophils and mast cells (mast cells) is triggered.

Biologically active substances enter the tissues from the cell, causing dilation and increasing vascular permeability. This is a manifestation of an allergy: tissue swelling occurs, which can externally manifest itself as swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract (an attack bronchial asthma), the appearance of blisters on the skin, itching, redness, runny nose, lacrimation.

How are basophils counted and designated?

According to all academic canons leukocyte formula read by a laboratory assistant in a stained blood smear under a microscope.

IN Lately Hematology analyzers are almost universally used in clinics. The principle of their operation is the differentiation of cells according to their volume, light refraction, electrical resistance and other parameters. The advantage of hemoanalyzers is that they save time and can also evaluate a much larger number of cells than manual counting.

However, not all of them are able to give a complete leukocyte formula. The simplest analyzer, supplied to clinics under the National Health Project, distinguishes leukocytes only by their volume and distinguishes 3 populations: granulocytes (GRN or GR), lymphocytes (LYM or LY), and middle cells (MID), which are most often associated with monocytes.

In this analysis, basophils can be in both the GRN and MID groups. Ideally, the calculation of the leukocyte formula after examination with such an analyzer should be supplemented by conventional smear microscopy, but this does not happen everywhere.

A more high-tech hemoanalyzer is able to distinguish between all 5 types of leukocytes. Basophils are denoted BAS or BA. If all automatic indicators are within the norm, no recalculation is performed. If the analyzer shows deviations in the leukocyte formula, the doctor may prescribe reanalysis with smear microscopy.

Why do basophils increase?

basophils in the blood count - no more than 1%. They may not be present in the smear at all; this is not considered a pathology.

An increase in basophils in the blood (basophilia) is quite rare.

What do elevated basophils mean? As already mentioned, basophilic leukocytes are active participants allergic reactions of both immediate and delayed types. Therefore, the main reason is allergies.

When an allergen enters the body, mast cells, that is, tissue basophils, are the first to react to it. A focus of allergic inflammation is formed. Basophils from the blood also rush to this focus. During this period, their increase is noted.

The second cause of basophilia is their increased formation in the bone marrow. This condition can occur with myeloid leukemia, erythremia and some other diseases of the hematopoietic system.

The main conditions under which basophils may be elevated

If basophils are elevated in an adult, there may be several reasons:

It is believed that the norm of basophil content in a child is slightly lower than in adults (no more than 0.5%), but it is clear that this difference is very arbitrary. In any case, if a laboratory technician sees one basophil per 100 cells, the analysis will show a figure of 1%, and this will not be a pathology.

Elevated basophils in a child most often indicate an allergy or helminthic infestation. Much less often the reason will be something else. If a blood test is taken after vaccination, basophilia can also be observed.

A decrease or absence of basophils in the blood has no diagnostic value.

Possible questions about basophils

Question:
Should you be afraid of an increase in basophils in the blood?

More often than not, no. If there is an obvious allergic reaction or an autoimmune disease in the acute stage, then their increase fits into the clinical picture. Moreover, eosinophils also increase. Usually this is a temporary phenomenon, and after starting treatment everything returns to normal.

It’s another matter if basophilia is found in a person who is not bothered by anything. Additional examination may be required. But before this, it is recommended to repeat the blood test, preferably in another laboratory.

Question:
Could increased basophils be a sign of blood cancer?

Yes, it can, but quite rarely. And with this pathology, basophils alone will almost never be elevated in isolation. The “red flags” should be a sharply increased or significantly decreased total number of leukocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and other changes in the blood test.

Question:
Is it necessary to treat an increase in basophils in the blood?

Basophilia is a symptom. But the disease needs to be treated. An asymptomatic increase in basophils does not need to be treated.

Question:
The doctor orders a repeat test. Should I trust this doctor and this laboratory?

You can never draw any conclusions from one blood test. The doctor may have doubts about the test, and this is normal. It may be necessary to recalculate the formula manually after hardware analysis.

And finally, in medicine, situations quite often arise when some wait and observation is required instead of an immediate, expensive examination.

You can take the initiative and donate blood in another laboratory.

But if basophilia is observed in 2-3 consecutive tests, this is already a reason to undergo a more thorough examination.

Source: http://zdravotvet.ru/bazofily-norma-povysheny-prichiny/

Why are basophils elevated in the blood, what does this mean?

The smallest group of leukocytes are basophils, which perform many functions in the human body.

In particular, they not only maintain blood flow in small vessels and provide a migration path for other leukocytes in the tissue, but also effectively influence the growth of new capillaries.

If an adult has elevated basophils in the blood, this indicates the development of a disease - basophilia. The causes of this condition are different; below we will look at the main ailments due to which basophils in the blood increase above normal.

Functions of basophils

The main function of this type of granulocyte is participation in the inflammatory process and the development of allergic reactions, namely anaphylactic shock. In addition, basophils block toxins (insect and animal poisons) that enter the body through the skin and reduce blood clotting due to the presence of heparin. At the site of destruction of basophils, tissue swelling, itching, and redness occur.

The main functions of basophils in the human body can be summarized:

suppression and “blocking” of allergens;
preventing the spread of foreign particles throughout the body;
maintaining the body's defenses;
regulation of microvascular permeability and tone;
maintaining the water and colloidal state, as well as skin metabolism;
neutralization of toxins and poisons, including insects;
participation in the processes of coagulation and phagocytosis.

If basophils are elevated in an adult, this means that the problem must be looked for in the anamnesis, previous illnesses and the patient’s living conditions must be analyzed. Next, we will consider in more detail why basophils in the blood of an adult are elevated, and what diseases lead to such indicators.

Basophil norm

The normal number of basophils varies depending on age and is calculated as a percentage of the total number of white blood cells in the blood:

for an adult: 0.5-1%;
newborn: 0.75%;
1 month: 0.5%;
1 year: 0.6%;
2 years: 0.7%

As you can see, the norm of basophils in the blood ranges from 0.5% to 1% of total number leukocytes. By absolute value this works out to about 0.3 nanoliters per liter of blood.

Causes of elevated basophils

Why are basophils in the blood elevated in an adult, what does this mean? Various conditions can provoke an increase in basophil values above normal, ranging from an immediate reaction to the administration of a drug to a long-term inflammatory process.

Let's consider the main causes of elevated basophils in an adult:

Allergic reactions. Upon contact with an allergen, special granules contained in the cells are released. Because of this, typical allergy symptoms occur: itching, rash, swelling, etc.
For acute infectious diseases liver basophils are also increased.
Inflammations (including chronic ones) located in the gastrointestinal tract. The effect is especially pronounced in acute intestinal inflammation.
Often basophils in the blood are elevated in the period preceding menstruation.
Constant exposure to small doses of radiation (for example, this applies to those who work with X-ray machines).
Diseases of the circulatory system.

Thus, general analysis blood from increased amount basophilic granulocytes primarily indicates the penetration of a foreign antigen, which, according to its characteristics, does not fit into the antigenic composition of a given organism, which is why the latter tries to reject the enemy as quickly as possible.

Sometimes the response can be very violent and rapid (anaphylactic shock), then the patient requires the same rapid health care(introduction of adrenaline, hormones), otherwise a sad outcome will quickly come.

Physiological reasons

Physiological processes causing an increase basophils:

During menstruation, at the beginning of ovulation, when the level of estrogen in the blood increases.
During the body's recovery after an infection.
Basophils increase as a result of small exposure to radiation doses; radiologists and laboratory assistants often suffer from it.
After taking contraceptive medications that contain a large amount of estrogens.

Thus, there are many causes of basophilia, so you should undergo a thorough examination to identify the cause of each specific case. Self-medication is absolutely unacceptable.

Elevated basophils in a child

What does it mean? The condition when a child’s basophils are elevated is called basophilia and the causes of its occurrence are different:

Poisoning.
Insect bites.
Helminth infection...
Hemolytic anemia.
Iron deficiency in the blood
Chronic sinusitis.
Nephrotic syndrome.
Infectious diseases
Taking some medicines.
Generalized allergies, drug or food.
Myxedema, or insufficient supply of tissues and organs with thyroid hormones.
Blood diseases: chronic myeloid leukemia, acute leukemia, polycythemia vera, Hodgkin's disease.
Chronic gastrointestinal pathologies, for example, ulcerative colitis. Basophils may increase during transition acute illness into an acute form.

A decrease in the level of basophils is possible only with timely treatment the underlying disease that caused their increase, it is necessary to introduce foods containing vitamin B12 (dairy, eggs, kidneys) into the child’s diet.

What to do if basophils in the blood are elevated

In most cases, basophilia can be cured if the immediate cause of its occurrence is eliminated, in particular, the underlying disease is cured. But in some cases high level basophils can be observed in relatively healthy people., then you need to use these recommendations:

Increase the body's saturation with vitamin B12, because it is actively involved in the formation of blood cells and brain function. This can be done by taking special medications or adding meat, kidney, eggs and milk to your diet.
Include iron-containing vitamins and foods in your diet: liver (especially chicken), buckwheat, fish and other seafood.

If basophils in the blood are elevated, in some cases, it is enough to stop taking medications: antithyroid, estrogen-containing and the like. In women, basophilia can be observed during ovulation, in the first days of the menstrual cycle, and also during pregnancy. This is due to a direct relationship between the level of estrogen and progesterone in the blood and the number of basophils.

Source: http://simptomy-lechenie.net/povyshennye-bazofily-v-krovi/

Basophils: functions, norm, increased levels in the blood - causes, mechanism and manifestations

Basophils (BASO) are a small group of representatives of the granulocyte series. These small (smaller in size than neutrophils) cells, after formation, immediately go to the periphery (into the tissue), without creating a reserve in the bone marrow. Basophils do not live long, up to a week.

They weakly phagocytose, but this is not their task. Basophils are carriers of receptors for immunoglobulin E, producers of histamine and other stimulating substances, and take part in the coagulation process (produce the anticoagulant heparin).

The tissue form of basophils is mastocytes, which are more commonly called mast cells. There are many basophils in the skin, serous membranes, and also in the connective tissue surrounding capillary vessels. These leukocytes still have a lot of different things beneficial properties True, there are nothing in the blood of basophils themselves - 0-1%, but if the body needs them, their number will increase.

There are no reduced values

The norm of basophils in peripheral blood in adults is 0-1%, but this does not mean that they may not be present in the body at all; for example, an allergic reaction will instantly activate them and their number will increase. Such a concept as “basophilopenia” in medical practice does not exist.

Despite the fact that the leukocyte formula in children has the peculiarity of changing with age, experiencing two crossovers, all these changes do not affect basophils - they remain at the same digit of the norm - on average 0.5% (0-1%), and in a newborn child In general, they are not always found in a smear.

In general, the ratio of white cells in the formula (as a percentage) in children infancy can vary noticeably even during the day (crying, restlessness, introduction of complementary foods, changes in temperature, illness), therefore, to obtain a more accurate result, the results are assessed based on absolute values.

The absolute content of basophils will normally be in the range: from 0 to 0.09 X 109/l (0.09 Giga/liter).

The reasons for increased basophil values can be various conditions, ranging from an immediate reaction to the administration of a drug and ending with a long-term inflammatory process. In short, the levels of these cells are increased in the case of:

Acute hypersensitivity reactions;
Some hematological diseases (hemophilia, erythremia, hemolytic anemia, chronic myeloid leukemia)
After the introduction of preventive vaccines;
Viral infections (chickenpox, influenza);
Rheumatoid arthritis;
Tuberculosis process;
Iron deficiency anemia;
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis;
Malignant neoplasms from epithelial tissue.

Thus, a general blood test with an increased number of basophilic granulocytes primarily indicates the penetration of a foreign antigen, which, according to its characteristics, absolutely does not fit into the antigenic composition of a given organism, which is why the latter tries to reject the enemy as quickly as possible. Sometimes the answer can be very stormy and rapid ( anaphylactic shock), then the patient requires the same rapid medical assistance (administration of adrenaline, hormones), otherwise a sad outcome will quickly occur.

Important functions of a small group

A large number of stimulating substances, receptors for immunoglobulin E (IgE), cytokines, and complement are concentrated on the surface of basophils. They carry out immediate type reactions (granulocyte-dependent type), where these cells play a major role. We can see the participation of basophils in the development of anaphylactic shock. Seconds - and a person needs emergency help.

Basophils produce histamine, serotonin, heparin, proteolytic enzymes, peroxidase, prostaglandins and other biologically active substances (BAS), which for the time being are stored in their granules (that’s what they are needed for). The ingress of a foreign antigen causes basophils to quickly migrate to the site of the “accident” and release biologically active substances from their granules, and thereby help restore order to problem areas (dilation of capillaries, healing of wound surfaces, etc.).

As noted, basophils are involved in the production of a natural anticoagulant - heparin, which prevents blood clotting where it is not necessary, for example, with anaphylaxis, when there is a real danger of developing thrombohemorrhagic syndrome.

Embodying functional abilities tissue mast cells, basophils on their surfaces concentrate binding sites with high affinity for IgE (they are called high-affinity receptors - FcεR), which ideally meet the needs of immunoglobulins of this class (E).

These areas, that is, FcεR receptors, unlike other Fc structures, have the ability to bind antibodies that move freely in the bloodstream, which is why they are classified as high-affinity.

Since basophils are naturally endowed with the advantage of having such receptors, then free-floating antibodies quickly “feel” them, “sit” on them and firmly “stick” (bind).

By the way, eosinophils also have the same receptors, so they always accumulate in areas of immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions, where, together with basophils, they perform effector function(effector cells of IgE-mediated allergic reactions).

Schematically, this entire interaction between antibodies and receptors of basophilic granulocytes can be represented as follows:

Antibodies, moving along the bloodstream, look for suitable receptors that are located on the membranes of basophilic leukocytes. Having found the desired object, antibodies attach to it, thereby gaining the opportunity to attract antigens similar to their specificity.
Antigens, having penetrated the body, reach the waiting antibodies associated with basophilic granulocytes.
When interacting with antibodies, specific antigens “crosslink” with them, resulting in the formation of IgE aggregates.
Receptors signal basophils and mast cells to launch a local response inflammatory reaction. This causes them to become active and begin to secrete the contents of the granules, that is, biogenic amines and other mediators of immediate hypersensitivity.
In an instant, histamine with serotonin and heparin are released from the basophil granules (degranulation), causing local dilation of the microvasculature at the site of inflammation. The permeability of the capillary walls increases, blood flow in this area increases, fluid accumulates in the surrounding tissues, and granulocytes circulating there rush from the bloodstream to the site of the “catastrophe.” During degranulation, the basophils themselves do not suffer, their viability remains preserved, everything is simply arranged in such a way that the granules are directed to the periphery of the cell and exit through the membrane pores.

Such a rapid reaction can become a protector of the body or serve as a factor that attracts other participants in the immune response to the infectious focus:

Neutrophils, which have all the properties of phagocytic cells;
Macrophages and monocytes that capture and process foreign substances;
Lymphocytes that destroy antigens or give commands to produce antibodies;
The antibodies themselves.

But still, first of all, such events (immediate reactions) form the basis for the development of anaphylaxis, and then they are perceived in a different capacity.

Histamine and serotonin do not have a long-lasting effect, because these substances cannot exist for a long time. Meanwhile, the local inflammatory focus does not disappear with the cessation of the action of serotonin and histamine; the fight against infection is supported by other components of the reaction (cytokines, vasoactive metabolites - leukotrienes and other substances produced at the site of inflammation).

Clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis and emergency case - shock

Clinically, an allergic (anaphylactic) reaction can manifest itself:

Anaphylactic shock, which is one of the most severe manifestations of allergies (loss of consciousness, falling blood pressure) and requires immediate medical attention;
An attack of suffocation in asthmatic patients;
Continuous sneezing and swelling of the nasal mucosa (rhinitis);
The appearance of a rash (urticaria).

Obviously, the body's fastest response to the arrival of a foreign antigen is anaphylactic shock. The onset time is seconds.

Many people have witnessed or experienced cases where an insect bite (usually a bee) or the administration of medications (usually novocaine in a dental office) caused sharp drop pressure, which created a threat to life.

This is anaphylactic shock, which a person who has experienced such horror should remember for the rest of his life, because the second case will develop even more rapidly. However, each subsequent response is more severe than the previous one - after all, the antibodies are already there. And it’s good if there is an anti-shock first aid kit with adrenaline and glucocorticoids nearby...

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