| eosinocyte | A polymorphonuclear leukocyte characterised by many large or prominent, refractile, cytoplasmic granules that are fairly uniform in size and bright yellow-red or orange when treated with Wright's or similar stains; the nuclei are usually larger than those of neutrophils, do not stain as deeply, and characteristically have two lobes (a third lobe is sometimes interposed on the connecting strand of chromatin); these leukocyte's are motile phagocytes with distinctive antiparasitic functions. Synonym: acidophilic leukocyte, eosinocyte, eosinophil, eosinophile, oxyphil, oxyphile, oxyphilic leukocyte. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| eosinopenia | The presence of eosinophils in an abnormally small number in the peripheral bloodstream. Synonym: hypoeosinophilia. Origin: eosino(phil) + G. Penia, poverty (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinopenic reaction | Reduction in the numbers of circulating eosinophils by ACTH or by adrenal corticoids. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinophil | Polymorphonuclear leucocyte (granulocyte) of the myeloid series, of which the granules stain red with eosin. Phagocytic, particularly associated with helminth infections and with hypersensitivity. (18 Nov 1997) |
| eosinophil adenoma | <endocrinology, oncology, tumour> A benign tumour, usually found in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, whose cells stain with acid dyes. Such pituitary tumours may give rise to excessive secretion of growth hormone, resulting in gigantism or acromegaly. A specific type of acidophil adenoma may give rise to nonpuerperal galactorrhoea. (25 Jun 1999) |
| eosinophil cationic protein | <protein> Arginine rich protein (21 kD) in granules of eosinophils, that damages schistosomula in vitro. Not the same as the MBP (major basic protein) of the granules. (18 Nov 1997) |
| eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis | A peptide (MW 500 to 600) that is chemotactic for eosinophilic leukocytes and is released from disrupted mast cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinophil chemotactic peptide | <protein> Tetrapeptides (of which two are identified: VGSE and AGSE) released by mast cells and that are said to both attract and activate eosinophils. (18 Nov 1997) |
| eosinophil count | A measurement (cells per microlitre) of the number of eosinophils in a blood specimen. This measurement, also called the absolute eosinophil count, is useful in the evaluation of autoimmune disease, allergies, eczema, leukaemia, asthma and hay fever. Normal absolute eosinophil counts are less than 350 cells/mcl (microlitre). (27 Sep 1997) |
| eosinophil granule | A granule that stains with eosin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinophil peroxidase | <enzyme> Peroxidase from eosinophil granules distinct from myeloperoxidase; claimed to enhance destruction of fungi, bacteria, schistosomula, toxoplasma, trypanosoma, mast cells, tumour cells in presence of exogenous h2o2 and halide Registry number: EC 1.11.1.- (26 Jun 1999) |
| eosinophilia | <haematology> The formation and accumulation of an abnormally large number of eosinophils in the blood. Origin: Gr. Philein = to love (18 Nov 1997) |
| eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome | <syndrome> A complex systemic syndrome with inflammatory and autoimmune components that affect the skin, fascia, muscle, nerve, blood vessels, lung, and heart. The varied symptoms include severe muscle pain and abnormally high numbers of eosinophils. This disease has presented itself only in people taking the amino acid l-tryptophan and it is believed that a specific impurity (probably stemming from a genetically engineered bacterial strain) in lots of l-tryptophan made by a single manufacturer may be the cause of the syndrome. (12 Dec 1998) |
| eosinophilic | Staining readily with eosin dyes; denoting such cell or tissue elements. (05 Mar 2000) |
| eosinophilic cellulitis | <syndrome> Recurrent cellulitis followed by brawny edematous skin lesions, or a less acute presentation of papular, annular, or gyrate skin lesions which are sometimes urticarial; affected skin and subcutis are heavily infiltrated by eosinophils and histiocytes, with scattered small necrotic foci (flame figures) of varied aetiology; sometimes follows an arthropod bite. Synonym: eosinophilic cellulitis. (05 Mar 2000) |