Which of the following is associated with the presence of eosinophils in infections?

The presence of eosinophils in infections is particularly associated with parasitic infections. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that play a crucial role in the immune response, especially in combating multicellular parasites such as helminths (worms) and some protozoa. Their primary function involves releasing cytotoxic granules and other mediators that can damage or kill these larger invaders.

In parasitic infections, the body’s immune system recognizes the foreign parasites and responds by increasing the count of eosinophils in the bloodstream. This response is part of the innate immune defense, aimed at controlling and eliminating parasites that are often too large for phagocytosis. Eosinophils are also involved in modulating inflammatory responses and can help in the repair of damaged tissues following an infestation.

Though other types of infections can stimulate different immune responses, such as viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, these typically do not lead to a significant increase in eosinophil counts. For example, viral infections often elicit more of a response from lymphocytes, particularly T-cells and B-cells, while bacterial infections primarily invoke neutrophils as the first line of defense. Fungal infections can also result in increased neutroph