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Eosinophil
Dr.V.Kasiviswanathan
Erode
Definition
It is one type of WBC.

Characteristics
The blood cells are about 10-12μ in diameter
The nucleus consists of two lobes with spectacle shape
The cytoplasm contains coarse granules; the granules take acidic stain; hence called acidophils.
They are amoeboid; but they are not phagocytic.
They contain histamin, heparin etc
They play a role in allergic reactions.

Functions
Following activation, they produce:-
Cationic granule proteins and their release by degranulation.
Produce lipid mediators like the eicosanoids from the leukotriene and prostaglandin
Enzymes, such as elastase.
Growth factors such as TGF beta, VEGF, and PDGF
Cytokines
Play a role in fighting viral infections,
Fibrin removal during inflammation.
Eosinophils along with basophils and mast cells, are important mediators of allergic responses and asthma pathogenesis and are associated with disease severity
They also fight helminth (worm) colonization
Also involved in many other biological processes, including postpubertal mammary gland development, oestrus cycling, allograft rejection and neoplasia.[14]
Antigen presentation to T cells.
Accumulate in the nasal mucosa is considered a major diagnostic criterion for allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies).

Treatment
Treatments used to combat autoimmune diseases and conditions caused by eosinophils include:
corticosteroids
Monoclonal antibody therapy – e.g., mepolizumab or reslizumab to prevent eosinophilopoiesis
Antagonists of leukotriene synthesis or receptors
Imatinib – inhibits PDGF-BB in hypereosinophilic leukemia

Tropical Eosinophilia
Tropical (pulmonary) eosinophilia, or TPE, is characterized by coughing, asthmatic attacks, and an enlarged spleen
Caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, a filarial infection.


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Eosinophilic infiltrations in the lung in tropical eosinophilia
Mililary mottling like in miliary tuberculosis