Basophilia



Basophilia


Kathryn Foucar, MD





Key Facts


Terminology



  • Absolute basophil count exceeding 0.2 × 109/L


Etiology/Pathogenesis



  • Secondary basophilia linked to allergic disorders and chronic inflammation


Clinical Issues



  • Degree of basophilia modest in most secondary basophilias


  • Reactive, secondary basophilia is rare in clinical practice


Microscopic Pathology



  • Basophil degranulation may be present


  • Basophilic myelocyte 1st recognizable basophil precursor


Top Differential Diagnoses



  • Myeloproliferative neoplasm with absolute basophilia






Peripheral blood smear shows normal basophil. Note that the granules obscure the nucleus.






Peripheral blood smear shows neutrophil and degranulated basophil image.


TERMINOLOGY


Definitions



  • Absolute basophil count exceeding 0.2 × 109/L


  • Basophil recognized by its unique, dark, purple secondary granules



    • Granules contain heparin, histamine, eosinophil chemotactic factor, and slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis


ETIOLOGY/PATHOGENESIS


Pathophysiology



  • Linked to interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5, and granulocyte-monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)


  • Basophils derived from common granulocytic progenitor cells


Multifactorial Causes



  • Causes of secondary basophilia generally linked to allergic/hypersensitivity disorders or chronic inflammatory conditions

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Related posts:

  1. Lymphopenia, Constitutional and Acquired
  2. Fungal Infections, Blood and Bone Marrow Features
  3. Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia, Not Otherwise Specified
  4. Myelodysplastic Syndrome with Isolated del(5q)

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Jun 13, 2016 | Posted by in PATHOLOGY & LABORATORY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Basophilia

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access