What is the difference between band and segmented neutrophils

Neutrophils are so named because they are not well stained by either eosin, a red acidic stain, nor by methylene blue, a basic or alkaline stain. Neutrophils, are also known as "segs", "PMNs" or "polys" polymorphonuclears. They are the body's primary defense against bacterial infection and physiologic stress. Normally, most of the neutrophils circulating in the bloodstream are in a mature form, with the nucleus of the cell being divided or segmented. Because of the segmented appearance of the nucleus, neutrophils are sometimes referred to as "segs.

Less mature neutrophils - those that have recently been released from the bone marrow into the bloodstream - are known as "bands" or "stabs". Stab is a German term for rod.

Increased neutrophil count. An increased need for neutrophils, as with an acute bacterial infection, will cause an increase in both the total number of mature neutrophils and the less mature bands or stabs to respond to the infection.

The term "shift to the left" is often used when determining if a patient has an inflammatory process such as acute appendicitis or cholecystitis. This term is a holdover from days in which lab reports were written by hand. Bands or stabs, the less mature neutrophil forms, were written first on the left-hand side of the laboratory report.

Today, the term "shift to the left" means that the bands or stabs have increased, indicating an infection in progress. This report is typical of a "shift to the left", and will be taken into consideration along with history and physical findings, to determine how the patient's appendicitis will be treated. In addition to bacterial infections, neutrophil counts are increased in many inflammatory processes, during physical stress, or with tissue necrosis that might occur after a severe burn or a myocardial infarction.

Neutrophils are also increased in granulocytic leukemia. Decreased neutrophil count. A decrease in neutrophils is known as neutropenia.

Although most bacterial infections stimulate an increase in neutrophils, some bacterial infections such as typhoid fever and brucelosis and many viral diseases, including hepatitis, influenza, rubella, rubeola, and mumps, decrease the neutrophil count. An overwhelming infection can also deplete the bone marrow of neutrophils and produce neutropenia. Many antineoplastic drugs used to treat cancer produce bone marrow depression and can significantly lower the neutrophil count.

Types of drugs that can produce neutropenia include some antibiotics, the psychotropic drug lithium, phenothiazines, and tricyclic antidepressants. Eosinophils are associated with antigen-antibody reactions. The most common reasons for an increase in the eosinophil count are allergic reactions such as hay fever, asthma, or drug hypersensitivity. Decreases in the eosinophil count may be seen when a patient is receiving corticosteroid drugs.

The purpose of basophils is not completely understood. Basophils are phagocytes and contain heparin, histamines, and serotonin. Tissue basophils are also called"mast cells. Basophil counts are used to analyze allergic reactions. It is possible, however, for a patient to have a WBC count within normal range, while their neutrophil count is low. But because neutrophils normally make up the largest part of the total WBC count, the WBC count is usually low when the neutrophil count is low.

Pancytopenia starts because of a problem with the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside of the bones, where the cells are produced, this can be caused by a variety of conditions including disease or exposure to certain chemicals or drugs. For information, contact her at sbrodie hcpro. More Like This. November 18, Quarterly Calls. November 11,