Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content ++ BASOPHILIA ++ Normal basophil count is 0.015 to 0.08 × 109/L. The causes of basophilia are listed in Table 35–1. An increase in the absolute basophil count among other blood cell abnormalities may be a useful sign of a chronic clonal myeloid disease (see Table 35–1). In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), an increased absolute basophil count occurs in virtually all patients. De novo acute basophilic leukemia is very rare, but marrow basophilia may be associated uncommonly with other subtypes of acute myelogenous or acute promyelocytic leukemia (see Table 35–2). Basophils in acute or chronic clonal myeloid diseases are derived from the malignant clone and occasionally may cause symptoms of histamine release (flushing, pruritus, hypotension) or severe peptic ulcer disease reflecting hypersecretion of gastric acid and pepsin. ++Table Graphic Jump LocationTABLE 35–1CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERATIONS IN NUMBERS OF BLOODView Table|Favorite Table|Download (.pdf) TABLE 35–1 CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ALTERATIONS IN NUMBERS OF BLOOD Basophils Decreased Numbers (Basopenia) Hereditary absence of basophils (very rare) Elevated levels of glucocorticoids Hyperthyroidism or treatment with thyroid hormones Ovulation Hypersensitivity reactions Urticaria Anaphylaxis Drug-induced reactions Leukocytosis (in association with diverse disorders) Increased Numbers (Basophilia) Allergy or inflammation Ulcerative colitis Drug, food, inhalant hypersensitivity Erythroderma, urticaria Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis Endocrinopathy Diabetes mellitus Estrogen administration Hypothyroidism (myxedema) Infection Chicken pox Influenza Smallpox Tuberculosis Iron deficiency Exposure to ionizing radiation Neoplasia "Basophilic leukemias" (see text) Myeloproliferative neoplasms (especially chronic myelogenous leukemia; also polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia) Carcinoma Source: Williams Hematology, 8th ed, Chap. 63, Table 63–2, p. 921. ++Table Graphic Jump LocationTABLE 35–2LEUKEMIAS ASSOCIATED WITH STRIKING BASOPHILIAView Table|Favorite Table|Download (.pdf) TABLE 35–2 LEUKEMIAS ASSOCIATED WITH STRIKING BASOPHILIA Chronic myelogenous leukemia with exaggerated basophilia Blast transformation of chronic myelogenous leukemia, including acute basophilic transformation, of chronic myelogenous leukemia Acute myeloid leukemia with t(9;22), t(6;9), t(3;6) or 12p abnormalities and marrow basophilia Acute promyelocytic leukemia with basophilic maturation Acute basophilic leukemia Source: Williams Hematology, 8th ed, Chap. 63, Table 63–3, p. 922. ++ BASOPHILOPENIA ++ The causes of basophilopenia are listed in Table 35–1. ++ MAST CELLS ++ Mast cells are produced in the marrow, transit the blood to the tissues where they reside. They cannot be identified in transit in the blood of healthy individuals by standard techniques. Mast cells contain mediators that may be preformed in granules (e.g., histamine, heparin, and chemotactic factors) or newly formed (e.g., arachidonic acid metabolites, such as prostaglandin D2 and leukotrienes). ++ REACTIVE MASTOCYTOSIS ++ An increased number of mast cells may be seen in any tissue involved in a hypersensitivity reaction. An increased number may be seen in the lymph nodes and marrow as a reaction to a variety of benign and malignant tumors. ++ BENIGN MAST CELL DISEASES ++... GET ACCESS TO THIS RESOURCE Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth Get Free Access Through Your Institution Contact your institution's library to ask if they subscribe to McGraw-Hill Medical Products. Access My Subscription