You eosinophils (or eosinophil granulocytes) are blood cells that develop in the bone marrow and are responsible for body defense against parasites and infectious agents. They also participate in the inflammatory processes in allergic diseases and asthma.
Under normal conditions, the concentration of eosinophils in the human body varies between 50 to 500 eosinophils per microliter of blood.
High eosinophils
eosinophilia is the increase in the concentration of eosinophils (values greater than 500 per microliter of blood), indicating that the individual probably has some parasitic infection (worm), some type of allergic disease or asthma.
When values are very high (values greater than 700 per microliter), they usually indicate diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Hodgkin (lymph cancer) or skin diseases (dermatitis and other skin lesions).
Low Eosinophils
eosinopenia is the name given to the low concentration of eosinophils (values below 50 per microliter), an indication that the individual's immunity is compromised.
Situations that can cause a decrease in values are, for example, a state of systemic shock, alcohol intoxication, syndrome of Cushing (excess cortisol), steroid use, post-surgery period, eclampsia (pregnancy complications) or illnesses such as AIDS.