Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells that are born in the bone marrow and have the role of defending the organism. The variation in their rate can reveal a bacterial infection or an anomaly of the bone marrow.
Neutrophils or neutrophilic granulocytes refer to a type of white blood cells that originate in the bone marrow and have the role of defending the body against foreign bodies such as yeasts or bacteria. They are produced in the bone marrow with the other white blood cells and then migrate into the blood and infected tissues (skin, intestines, etc.). Neutrophils are phagocytic white blood cells since they can absorb foreign bodies, including bacteria. Their number therefore increases during a bacterial infection.
The main function of neutrophils is to fight bacteria specifically by phagocytosis and bactericidalism, thanks to their ability to migrate in the tissues towards the place of infection.
When the doctor suspects an infection caused by bacteria or an abnormality in the bone marrow.
Their dosage is established during the complete blood count (NFS), during a venous blood test, generally at the bend of the elbow. Fasting is not necessary.
Neutrophils are polymorphonuclear 50 to 70% of circulating blood leukocytes, i.e. 1.5 to 7 G/L.
A decrease or an abnormally low level of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, less than 1.5 G/L is called a “neutropenia“. This decrease can be caused in particular by a infection, vitamin B12 or B9 deficiency, taking certain medications, bone marrow disease, autoimmune disease, alcohol poisoning, cancer, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
When the neutrophil count is much too high, usually greater than 8 G/LWe are talking about “polynucleosisor “neutrophilia”. Stress, physical exertion, pregnancy or smoking can cause moderate neutrophilia and without gravity. On the other hand, a significant increase most often testifies to a bacterial infection (sinusitis, angina, appendicitis, etc.), but also to inflammatory conditions, primary pathologies of the marrow (myeloproliferative syndromes) and finally tissue necrosis (infarction, embolism lungs, etc.).
One frequently observes physiological variations of the hemogram concerning the three blood lines during pregnancy, and in particular the polymorphonuclear neutrophils, without this necessarily testifying to an infection.
“Results should be interpreted taking into account clinical observations, other current blood count results, and variations in results over time.”