Neutrophilic polynuclear power is a type of white blood cells that are born in the bone marrow and have the role of the defense of the body. The variation in their rate can reveal a bacterial infection or an abnormality of the bone marrow.
Neutrophils or neutrophilic granulocytes designate a type of white blood cells that are born 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 …). Neutrophilic polynuclear power are phagocyte white blood cells since they can absorb foreign bodies, including bacteria. Their number therefore increases during a bacterial infection.
The main function of neutrophils are to fight specifically against bacteria by phagocytosis and bactericidia, thanks to their migration capacity in the tissues towards the place of infection.
When the doctor suspects an infection caused by a bacteria or an abnormality of the bone marrow.
Their dosage is established during the blood formula (NFS), during a venous blood test, generally at the fold of the elbow. There is no need to be on an empty stomach.
Neutrophilic polynuclearians constitute 50 to 70% of circulating blood leukocytes, or 1.5 to 7 g/l.
A decrease or an abnormally low level of neutrophilic polynuclear power, of less than 1.5 g/l is called a “neutropenia“This drop can in particular be caused by a Infection, a deficiency in vitamin B12 or B9, taking certain medications, bone marrow disease, autoimmune disease, alcoholic poisoning, Cancer, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
When the level of neutrophilic polynuclear power is far too high, in general greater than 8 g/lwe talk about “polynucleosis“or” neutrophilia “. Stress, physical effort, pregnancy or tobacco consumption 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 inflammatory states, primitive marrow pathologies (myeloproliferative syndromes) and finally tissue necrosis (infarction, pulmonary embolism …).
We frequently observe physiological variations in the hemogram concerning the three blood lines during pregnancy, and in particular neutrophilic polynuclear, without it necessarily testifying to an infection.
