Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody has been observed with neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, autoimmune neutropenia, transfusion reactions, and drug-induced neutropenia.

The "Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody" test on a panel from Quest Diagnostics is a specialized diagnostic tool used to detect antibodies that target neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for our immune defense against infections. Neutrophil antibodies can lead to various conditions, including autoimmune neutropenia—where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys neutrophils, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing immune-related neutropenia, monitoring the severity of the autoimmune response, and guiding treatment decisions in conditions where neutrophil antibodies may be involved.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells, essential for immune defense. They are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream and tissues to combat infections.

As phagocytic cells, neutrophils engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invaders at infection sites. They also play a role in the inflammatory response, helping the body react to allergens and injuries.

Neutrophils are clear in color and typically spherical when at rest, but they change shape to fight infections effectively.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell (WBC) in the human body and are critical to your immune system's function. As phagocytic cells, their primary role is to engulf and destroy harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, especially at the site of an injury or infection.

Beyond their role in combating infections, neutrophils are also involved in the body’s inflammatory response. They respond to allergens, injuries, or infections by releasing enzymes and signaling other immune cells, which contributes to inflammation—a natural process that helps protect and heal the body.

With their dual role in immunity and inflammation, neutrophils are indispensable for maintaining your overall health and defending against a wide range of pathogens.

Synovial fluid analysis includes a differential cell count, which identifies and quantifies the different types of white blood cells present in the fluid. Neutrophils are one of the cell types counted in this differential analysis. It is a critical parameter that aids in the assessment of joint health.

An elevated percentage can signal inflammation or infection within the joint, helping guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Used in making metal coins and jewelry, valves and heat exchangers, and stainless steel. Also used for nickel plating, color ceramics, cosmetics, tobacco, and batteries. Can be found in the soil, air, and water. There are also nickel containing foods such as almonds, chick peas, cocoa, tomato, lentils, oats, peanuts, and walnuts.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Iron is a competitive inhibitor of nickel absorption, therefore absorption is enhanced with iron deficiency. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to counter ROS from nickel, and may also inhibit nickel absorption.

Hair is a reasonable tissue for monitoring accumulated body stores of Nickel (Ni). However, hair is OFTEN contaminated with Ni from hair treatments, dyes, and hair products. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential element which is required in extremely low amounts. However, excess Ni has been well established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. Elevated Ni is often found in individuals who work in the electronic and plating, mining, and steel manufacture industries. A cigarette typically contains from 2 to 6 mcg of Ni; Ni is absorbed more efficiently in the lungs (~35%) than in the gastrointestinal tract (~5%).

Urinary nickel (Ni) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential trace element.

However, excessive assimilation of Ni has been established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. The general population may be exposed to Ni from ambient air, water and food. With the exception of specific occupational exposures, most absorbed Ni comes from food and beverages, and intakes can vary depending upon geographical location and water supply. Extensive Ni exposure may occur with cigarette
smoking.

Food is the major source of exposure to Ni.

Foods naturally high in Nickel include chocolate, soybeans, nuts, and oatmeal. Individuals may also be exposed to nickel by breathing air, drinking water, or smoking tobacco containing Nickel. Stainless steel and coins contain Nickel. Some jewelry is plated with Nickel or made from Nickel alloys. Patients may be exposed to Nickel in artificial body parts made from Nickel-containing alloys.

The most common harmful health effect of Nickel in humans is an allergic reaction. Approximately 10% to 20% of the population is sensitive to Nickel. The most serious harmful health effects from exposure to Nickel, such as chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and cancer of the lung and nasal sinus, have occurred in people who have breathed dust containing certain Nickel compounds while working in Nickel refineries or nickel-processing plants.

Used in making metal coins and jewelry, valves and heat exchangers, and stainless steel. Also used for nickel plating, color ceramics, cosmetics, tobacco, and batteries. Can be found in the soil, air, and water. There are also nickel containing foods such as almonds, chick peas, cocoa, tomato, lentils, oats, peanuts, and walnuts.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Iron is a competitive inhibitor of nickel absorption, therefore absorption is enhanced with iron deficiency. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to counter ROS from nickel, and may also inhibit nickel absorption.

Fecal nickel (Ni) provides an estimate of very recent or ongoing oral exposure to the element. One to 10% of dietary Ni is be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood; that which is not absorbed is excreted in the feces. Nickel is present to a minor extent in most dietary items and food is considered to be a major source of nickel exposure for the general population.

There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential trace element which may be required in extremely low amounts. However, excessive assimilation of Ni has been well established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. With the exception of specific occupational exposures, most absorbed nickel comes from food and beverages, and intakes can vary due to a multitude of factors depending upon geographical
location and water supply.

Deficiency of nickel is associated with poor growth and reproductive dysfunction. Nickel has been shown to work in a cooperative way with calcium, iron, and zinc. Chronic exposure to some forms of nickel via inhalation is carcinogenic. Mucosal tissue irritation associated with nickel can manifest as asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. Pulmonary inflammation may arise after breathing in nickel in the form of dust or smoke. Nickel toxicity may result in liver necrosis or carcinoma. Hypersensitivity reactions may occur with chronic nickel exposure.

Dermatitis is also associated with nickel worn as jewelry. Other sources of nickel include stainless steel, tobacco smoke, industrial exhaust fumes, batteries, as well as electronic and plating and mining industries. Urine and plasma have been used for assessing nickel exposure, although only acute exposure is revealed because nickel is rapidly cleared from blood.

Hair is a reasonable tissue for monitoring accumulated body stores of Nickel (Ni). However, hair is OFTEN contaminated with Ni from hair treatments, dyes, and hair products. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential element which is required in extremely low amounts. However, excess Ni has been well established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. Elevated Ni is often found in individuals who work in the electronic and plating, mining, and steel manufacture industries. A cigarette typically contains from 2 to 6 mcg of Ni; Ni is absorbed more efficiently in the lungs (~35%) than in the gastrointestinal tract (~5%).