EOSINOPHILIA

Eosinophilia is a chronic disorder resulting from excessive production of a particular type of white blood cells found in blood or body tissues. Eosinophils are produced in the bone marrow existing normally in the bloodstream and gut lining, which helps the body fight infection from parasitic organisms. On an average around 5% to 7% of white blood cells constitute eosinophils but if you have a higher count then it means that you either have borderline eosinophilia or actual progressing eosinophilia that can cause significant health hazards.

There are a variety of disorders that can cause eosinophilia ranging from simple hay fever to life threatening tumors. Most common causes for eosinophilia are parasitic infections (such as hookworm, schistosomiasis), allergic conditions (such as asthma and hay fever), certain malignant tumors like lymphoma, inflammation of blood vessels, and certain types of drug reactions. Listed below are the most common chromosome changes observed in eosinophilia patients.

• 4q12 rearrangement FIP1L1/PDGFRA

• 5q33 rearrangement PDGFRB

• 8p11 rearrangement FGFR1

• inv(16)(p13;q22)/t(16;16)(p13;q22) CBFB

FISH analysis can be performed to confirm diagnosis and/or monitor chromosome changes during treatment. Clinicians can order individual probes or the complete Eosinophilia panel.

Please refer to the  Cytogenetics for Hematology/Oncology Disorders test order form to order testing and to review the specimen requirements.

Karyotype analysis can also be performed to confirm the FISH results.

Cytogenetics for Hematology/Oncology Test Order Form