Incidence of Eosinophilia in Rural Population in North India: A Study at Tertiary Care Hospital

  • Rimpi Bansal GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
  • Anureet Kaur GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
  • Anil K Suri GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
  • Puneet Kaur GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
  • Monika Bansal GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
  • Rupinderjeet Kaur GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
Keywords: Eosinophilia, Allergy, Atopy, Punjab

Abstract

BACKGROUND- Eosinophilia is abnormally high number of eosinophils in the blood. Normally, eosinophils constitute 1 to 6% of the peripheral blood leukocytes, at a count of 350 to 650 per cubic millimeter. Eosinophilia can be categorized as mild (less than 1500 eosinophils per cubic millimeter), moderate (1500 to 5000 per cubic millimeter), or severe (more than 5000 per cubic millimeter). Eosinophilia may be primary or secondary. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of eosinophilia and evaluate the patients thoroughly for the cause of eosinophilia.METHOD- The study was conducted in the Pathology department in the medical college and hospital in rural are of Punjab. Complete blood count and peripheral blood film study was done in almost all the patients visiting the hospital. The patients with eosinophilia were segregated and were made to fill the detailed proforma. The information included family history, chief complaints, food habits, disease history  and drug history. A thorough general examination and diagnostic work up followed. RESULT- In all 3442 (10.7%) patients visiting the hospital had eosinophilia; out of this 2136 (62%) patients had mild eosinophilia, 1297 (37.7%) had moderate and 9 (0.3%) had severe eosinophilia. 2451(71.2%) patients were males and 991 (28.8%) were females. Age group of patients varied from 3 yrs to 74 yrs. The chief complaints of our patients were related to  fever, cough, rashes, breathlessness, wheezing etc.  other major group of patients had symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, pallor, pica and loss of appetite.CONCLUSION- Eosinophilia appears to be a common occurrence in the in the rural population around our hospital. The most common etiologies were due to parasitic, protozoal or fungal  infestations and infections. Allergy related problem also constituted a significant health problem in the local population. DOI: 10.21276/apalm.2017.1044

Author Biography

Rimpi Bansal, GIAN SAGAR MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
PROFESSOR,PATHOLOGY

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Published
2017-02-03
Issue
Vol 4 No 1 (2017)
Section
Original Article

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