Variations in the counts of circulating basophile leucocytes in 225 subjects were studied. The results obtained are as follows: 1) The counts (per mm3) show a gradual rise with growth, from infancy to adolescence, and maintain a fair constancy in adults. 2) No significant sex difference was found in the peripheral basophile counts. 3) A definite diurnal variation in the counts exists, which is lowest in the morning and highest in the evening. 4) the counts are altered in different phases of the menstrual cycle. 5) Pregnant women show lower counts than nonpregnant women. 6) Surgical trauma and a single electroconvulsive shock lowers the counts significantly but variations are not significant after meals and physical exercise. 7) Smokers have slightly higher counts than non-smokers. 8) course of irradiation therapy lowers the counts significantly in patients with inoperable noplastic diseases. 9) Counts show insignificant variation with alteration of blood glucose level. The results mentioned above are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Peripheral and autonomic nerve function in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Peripheral and autonomic nerve function was assessed at intervals over a 3-month period in seven diabetics after ketoacidosis. There was marked improvement in motor conduction velocity and terminal latency of both ulnar and common peroneal nerves in all patients. Five had one or more abnormal autonomic function tests but there were no consistent changes during the same period. It is postulated that peripheral nerves may be more susceptible to acute metabolic damage than autonomic fibres.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Cytomorphological variations and blood histamine in bronchial asthma.

The absolute counts on basophil and eosinophil leucocytes, percentage of vacuolated eosinophil cells and whole blood histamine were determined in 30 controls and 34 patients with bronchial asthma. The basophil counts rose from the quiescent to pre-attack stage and then fell in the acute stage of bronchial asthma. The eosinophil counts, the percentage of vacuolated eosinophils and the blood histamine content increased significantly during an asthmatic attack. An attack of bronchial asthma was precipitated if the blood histamine rose to or above 200 ng/ml or a 50% rise occurred from its quiescent level. The inter-relationship between cytomorphological variations and blood histamine content in various stages of bronchial asthma is discussed.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1976

Relative value of peripheral blood, secretion and tissue eosinophilia in the diagnosis of different patterns of allergic rhinitis.

Eosinophil count in peripheral blood, nasal secretion and nasal mucosa were studied in 20 controls and 38 patients with different patterns of allergic rhinits. Secretion and tissue eosinophilia were pathologically high in a greater number of patients than peripheral blood eosinophilia. This trend was seen in all patterns of allergic rhinitis but was more evident in seasonal allergic rhinitis. The conclusion was reached that examination of local site and local secretions for eosinophilia is helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

Eosinophils↗

PubMed1975

Blood histamine levels and eosinophil, basophil counts in urticaria.

The blood histamine levels, basophil and eosinophil counts and the percentage of vacuolated eosinophils were observed in 30 controls and 15 patients of urticaria. There was a definite rise in eosinophil and basophil count during the acute stage of the disease which decreased in the quiescent or the symptom-free stage. The behavior of blood histamine level was similar. The mechanisms involved are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1975