A type of leukocyte (white blood cell) that plays a role in the body’s allergic responses and in fighting parasitic infections.
Any cell in the body with granules in its substance that stain easily with the dye, eosin. Granulocytes which form about 2 per cent of the white cells of the blood are eosinophils.
n. a variety of white blood cell distinguished by a lobed nucleus and the presence in its cytoplasm of coarse granules that stain orange-red with *Romanowsky stains. Eosinophils are capable of ingesting foreign particles, is present in large numbers in lining or covering surfaces within the body, is involved in allergic responses, and may be involved in host defence against parasites. There are normally 40–400 × 106 eosinophils per litre of blood. See also polymorph.
A group of conditions having the characteristic elevation of eosinophils. These somewhat mysterious granulocytic leukocytes (white blood cells filled with cottage cheese) are definitely involved in parasite resistance, seem to initiate strong inflammation under some conditions, can facilitate clotting by inhibiting heparin, yet also are a part of the process of healing and inflammation control as an infection winds down. Eosinophilia is on one hand an inherited condition associated with atopic dermatitis (common, relatively benign, and irritating as hell), but, when acquired from chemical contact, drug reaction or spontaneously surfaced auto-immune response, it can destroy muscles, nerve, lungs, even kill. It caused the notorious string of chemical reactions that was triggered by tainted Japanese tryptophan.... eosinophilia
A disease in patients presenting with severe abdominal colic, evanescent small bowel obstruction and a peripheral blood eosinophilia. Zoonotic hookworms, e.g. Ancyclostoma caninum, are believed to be the causative agent, as described by Dr John Croese and others from northern Queensland.... eosinophilic enteritis
A syndro me found in certain tropical areas in which patients present with hypereosinophilia, pulmonary infiltration, cough, chest pain and asthma-like attacks. Associated with infection by the filarial nematodes Wuchereriabancrofti and Brugia malayi. These infections are usually amicrofilaraemic, , especially in expatriates, i.e. no microfilariae can be detected in peripheral blood.... tropical eosinophilia
Health Encyclopedia