Basophilia

Basophilia
Classification and external resources
Specialty
ICD-10	D75.8
ICD-9-CM	288.65
DiseasesDB	29698
Patient UK	Basophilia

Basophilia is a condition where the basophil quantity is abnormally elevated (more than 10¹⁰ basophils per liter of blood). Basophilia is associated with Pruritis (itching) due to the basophils release of histamine.

Causes

Basophilia as an isolated finding is uncommon. However it is a common feature of myeloproliferative disorders and particularly prominent in chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Conditions Associated with Alterations in Numbers of Blood Basophils

I. Decreased Numbers (Basopenia)

 A. Hereditary absence of basophils (very rare)
 B. Elevated levels of glucocorticoids
 C. Hyperthyroidism or treatment with thyroid hormones
 D. Ovulation
 E. Hypersensitivity reactions
   1. Urticaria
   2. Anaphylaxis
   3. Drug-induced reactions
 F. Leukocytosis (in association with diverse disorders)

II. Increased Numbers (Basophilia)

 A. Allergy or inflammation
   1. Ulcerative colitis
   2. Drug, food, inhalant hypersensitivity
   3. Erythroderma, urticaria
   4. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
 B. Endocrinopathy
   1. Diabetes mellitus
   2. Estrogen administration
   3. Hypothyroidism (myxedema)
 C. Infection
   1. Chicken pox
   2. Influenza
   3. Smallpox
   4. Tuberculosis
 D. Iron deficiency
 E. Exposure to ionizing radiation
 F. Neoplasia
   1. "Basophilic leukemia" (see text)
 G. Myeloproliferative neoplasms (especially chronic myelogenous leukemia; also polycythemia vera, primary myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythemia)
 H. Carcinoma