azurofiilisiä

Azurofiilisiä is a term that describes a specific staining characteristic observed in certain biological cells, particularly in blood smears. It refers to the presence of granules within the cytoplasm of cells that stain blue or purplish with Romanowsky stains, such as Wright's stain or Giemsa stain. These granules are typically small and discrete.

The azurophilic granules are a normal feature found in various white blood cell lineages, most notably in monocytes and lymphocytes. In monocytes, these granules are often abundant and can vary in size. In lymphocytes, azurophilic granules are usually fewer and smaller, and their presence can sometimes indicate a reactive or atypical lymphocyte. Certain types of granulocytes also possess azurophilic granules, which represent primary lysosomes containing various enzymes.

The identification and quantification of azurophilic granules can be important in hematology for diagnostic purposes. For instance, an increase in the number or size of azurophilic granules in certain cell types can be associated with specific hematological disorders or conditions. Conversely, a deficiency in these granules might also suggest underlying pathology. The precise composition and function of these granules are still areas of ongoing research, but they are generally understood to play roles in cellular defense and degradation.