Basophils are blood cells that form in the bone marrow, then they go into the blood, circulating in it for several hours, and then go to the tissues, where they stay for 8-12 days.
This is the smallest leukocyte group, which mainly participates in allergic reactions of immediate type.
When basophils are lowered in adults in the blood, this indicates the presence of a disease - a basification. Such a condition can be diagnosed when the content of basophils in the peripheral blood is less than 0.01 * 109 / L.To make concrete conclusions at once is problematic even for specialists, but often it is a question of depletion of the leukocyte reserve in the body.
If basophils are lowered in adults, the causes can be quite different, the most common of which we consider in this article
The role of basophils in the body
The formation of basophils occurs in the bone marrow, from where they enter the bloodstream and circulate in it for several hours. Further, basophilic leukocytes migrate into cellular tissues, remaining there for 8 to 12 days, where they perform their basic functions.
The main function of basophils is to detect and suppress allergens in time, prevent them from spreading throughout the body and call the remaining granulocytes to the site of inflammation.
Basophils take a direct part in allergic reactions. In addition, they can be found in thin capillaries, where they are responsible for the blood flow. Despite the fact that phagocytosis is one of the functions of basophils, their role in strengthening immunity or protecting the body is extremely small. These white cells take an important part in the process of blood clotting and contribute to increased vascular permeability. They are also responsible for reducing certain muscle groups.
Norm
With blood sampling for a general blood test, the definition of basophils is known to be included in the calculation of a specific leukocyte formula.
Thus, the rate of basophils is indicated in the following indicators:
- Newborns - 0.75%
- Children 1 month old - 0.5%
- One-year-old child 0.6%
- Children aged 2 years - 0.7%
- Adults- 0.5 to 1%
The increase in the number of basophil cells( when basophils are elevated in the blood - more than 0.2 * 109 / L) is called basophilia. The decrease in the number of basophil cells in the peripheral blood( when it is lowered and the analysis shows less than 0.01 * 109 / L) is called basepenia.
Causes of decreased basophils
Why are basophils reduced in adults, what does it say? The main causes, when basophils are diagnosed in the blood below the norm, may be the following pathological conditions:
- infectious diseases;
- stress;
- pregnancy;
- Cushing's disease;
- hyperthyroidism.
The regular state at which the level of basophils is observed below 0.01 * 109 / l is called basepenia. It can occur due to the following diseases and conditions:
- with regular stress conditions;
- for allergies with vivid manifestations;
- for infectious diseases;
- with active thyroid;
- in diseases of the adrenal glands;
- for pneumonia;
- when taking certain hormonal medications.
It should be noted that during the period of ovulation and pregnancy, these indicators can also be observed. Therefore it is very important to do the diagnosis in a complex. It is worth saying that stressful situations can significantly reduce the content of basophils in peripheral blood.
What to do if basophils are lowered
As in any other case, first of all, you should look for the root cause of this phenomenon. If such a disease is detected, the main therapy should be aimed at fighting precisely with it, and after that the level of basophils will come to the necessary standard.
If there were no reasons to increase their level, then it is possible that this was due to the general weakening of immunity, which means that all forces should be directed to its strengthening.