Eosinophilia and neutropenia in patients with acute rhinopharyngitis from a health center in Peru: an analytical study

Introduction. Eosinophils modulate innate and adaptive immunity. Its elevation may be associated with changes in neutrophil concentrations during acute upper respiratory tract infection. The objective was to analyze the association between eosinophilia and neutropenia in patients with acute rhinopharyngitis. Methodology. Cross-sectional and analytical study, based on data from medical records of 526 patients from a polyclinic in the district of Villa el Salvador, Peru. Patients diagnosed with acute rhinopharyngitis who underwent a complete blood count were selected. Patients with chronic respiratory and hematological diseases were excluded. Bivariate statistics were performed with frequencies and percentages, as well as the crude Odds Ratio test and adjusted by binary logistic regression. Results. Minors with neutropenia had eosinophilia 5.52 times more often than those without neutropenia (OR=5.52; 95% CI=2.28-13.35; p=0.005). In adults it was 2.01 (OR=2.01; CI: 95%=1.07-3.77; p=0.027). Discussion. The findings could be attributed to the antiviral activity of eosinophils by mechanisms mediated by ribonucleases and neurotoxins which require activation mediated by neutrophils in the presence of viral and bacterial infectious conditions. In turn, the greater strength of association in minors could be due to the fact that their immune system is less mature than adults, who also take medication more frequently. Conclusions. Neutropenia and eosinophilia had a greater strength of association in patients with acute rhinopharyngitis, mainly in minors.