Absolute Eosinophil Count (AEC) is a blood test that measures the number of eosinophils present in the body. Eosinophils are the type of white blood cells (WBC) that becomes active in case of an infection, allergic disease and drug reaction.
Eosinophils levels beyond normal can be indicative of an autoimmune disease, seasonal allergies, asthma, and parasitic infections. An abnormally low eosinophil count can be the result of intoxication from alcohol or excessive production of cortisol.
The absolute eosinophil count is done:
- In case of signs or symptoms such as red itchy eyes, coughing, nasal congestion, asthma, dermatitis, or abdominal pain which may suggest an allergy to one or more substances.
- In case of parasitic infections
- In early stages of Cushing’s disease
- To diagnose the Acute Hypereosinophilic Syndrome