An abnormal increase in basophil granulocytes is therefore also described as basophilia. [2] The opposite of basophilic structures are acidophilic structures, also called eosinophilic. These structures contain many positive charges and are thus strongly stained by anionic dyes like eosin.

The nucleus of mature basophils condenses but smudges chromatin, and the background cytoplasm lacks basophilia, which marks residual RNA. Basophils have a lifespan comparable to eosinophils. The maturation process in the bone marrow takes approximately 7 days. Basophils circulate in the bloodstream and are not typically found in tissues.

Basophilia is the most common abnormality on the CBC in CML. It may be isolated and remain the sole manifestation in the CBC for several months or even in rare cases, several years.

Polychromatophilic erythroblast (12-15 µm): Moderately condensed chromatin; lighter, grayish cytoplasm. The color of the cytoplasm is due to coloring by both acidic and basic components of the stain. Basophilia is from staining of ribosomes and acidophilia from hemoglobin.

Basophilia is the most common complete blood count (CBC) abnormality in the three phases of CML (chronic, accelerated, and blast). It has been established as a prognostic marker in CML, and is even a diagnostic criterion in the accelerated phase of CML (>20% basophils in CBC), which is characterized as more aggressive disease and less ...