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Multiple Choice

In which conditions do eosinophil numbers increase?

Eosinophil numbers rise mainly in allergic reactions and parasitic infections. This increase, known as eosinophilia, happens because Th2-type immune responses release interleukin-5 (IL-5), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more eosinophils and recruits them to tissues where allergens or parasites are present. In the tissues, eosinophils release toxic granule proteins to attack parasites, and these same mediators can amplify inflammation in allergies such as asthma or hay fever. Bacterial infections typically bring more neutrophils, viral infections more lymphocytes, and heavy exercise can transiently alter counts but doesn’t normally raise eosinophils.

Eosinophil numbers rise mainly in allergic reactions and parasitic infections. This increase, known as eosinophilia, happens because Th2-type immune responses release interleukin-5 (IL-5), which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more eosinophils and recruits them to tissues where allergens or parasites are present. In the tissues, eosinophils release toxic granule proteins to attack parasites, and these same mediators can amplify inflammation in allergies such as asthma or hay fever. Bacterial infections typically bring more neutrophils, viral infections more lymphocytes, and heavy exercise can transiently alter counts but doesn’t normally raise eosinophils.