Lab Dept:

Hematology

Test Name:

EOSINOPHILS, TOTAL COUNT

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

EOCT

Synonyms:

Total Eos; Eo Count; Absolute Number of Eosinophils

CPT Codes:

85021 – Hemogram, automated
85008 – Manual blood smear examination with differential parameters

Test Includes:

The total eosinophil count in blood reported in Eos/mm³

Logistics

Test Indications:

Useful in determining presence of eosinopenia or eosinophilia in the peripheral blood which can be present in a variety of conditions: adrenal response to ACTH, allergic reactions, parasitic infections, skin disorders, hypereosinophilic syndromes, neoplastic diseases and other miscellaneous disease states

Lab Testing Sections:

Hematology

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

4 hours

Special Instructions:

Do Not collect specimen while lipids are being infused.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Whole blood

Container:

Lavender top tube (EDTA) or Lavender Microtainer®

Draw Volume:

2 mL blood in a 5 mL EDTA tube OR 0.5 mL blood in a Microtainer®

Processed Volume:

Same as Draw Volume

Collection:

Fill to mark on tube or Microtainer®. Mix well by gentle inversion.

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Do Not centrifuge

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Improper tube; clotted sample; underfilled tube; mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Interpretive

Reference Range:

50 – 250 Eos/mm³

Eosinopenia: <50 Eos/mm³

Eosinophilia: >450 Eos/mm³

A definite diurnal variation occurs with a mid-morning nadir, approximately 20% less than the 0800 level; a maximal nocturnal peak, approximately 30% greater than the 0800 level. This diurnal variation is not observed in patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Critical Values:

N/A

Limitations:

Estimates of eosinophil numbers based on differential counts and stained blood smears are subject to error because the natural stickiness or adherence of eosinophils prevents even distribution.

Methodology:

Automated cell counter with automated or manual differential.

References:

Davidson, Henry, Todd-Sanford (1979) Clinical Diagnosis by Laboratory Methods, 15^th ed

Harmening DH (1997) Clinical Hematology and Fundamentals of Hemostasis, 3^rd ed

Oski and Nathan (1998) Hematology of Infancy and Childhood, 5^th ed