Erythrophagocytosis

Erythrophagocytosis is the process by which red blood cells are engulfed by macrophages, cells of the immune system. This process plays an important role in protecting the body from infections and other diseases.

Red blood cells are red blood cells that carry oxygen to body tissues. When red blood cells become damaged or aged, they can be engulfed by macrophages. This occurs due to special receptors on the surface of macrophages that recognize certain markers on the surface of red blood cells.

The process of erythrophagocytosis begins when macrophages detect damaged or old red blood cells and begin to engulf them. Macrophages then process the ingested red blood cells to use their nutrients for their growth and development.

However, erythrophagocytosis can also be caused by infection or other diseases such as autoimmune diseases. In this case, macrophages may mistake the body's own cells for foreign bodies and begin to engulf them.

It is important to note that erythrophagocytosis is not a pathological process if it occurs in normal amounts and does not cause serious health problems. However, if erythrophagocytosis becomes too intense or if it is caused by infections or other diseases, it can lead to various complications such as anemia, infection or even death.

Overall, erythrophagocytosis plays an important role in the body's immune system and helps protect it from infections and other diseases. However, it is necessary to monitor its level and adjust it if necessary.

**Erythrophagocytosis (erythrocyte hemophagocytic syndrome)** is the name of the disease. Characterized by modification of phagocytes due to their transformation from inactive to powerful and transformed cells. At the same time, their shell becomes hypercellular, many pseudopodia appear, and the cytoplasm is stained with special dyes in a rich red color. Erythrophages are somewhat pale in color and, as a result, stand out clearly on all blood stains. They can take on different sizes, from the size of a white blood cell to huge sizes. Ultrastructurally, they have numerous lysosomes, acinuria, pseudopodia, vacuoles, microsomes and basophilic spots in the hyaloplasm. Externally, the erythrophage resembles a macrocyte with a layer of hyaloplasmic membrane along the periphery. Among macrocytes and segmented leukocytes, intermediate forms are found. Often, separately located erythrophages take on the morphological picture of megaloblasts or myelocytes, and in some cases, individual erythrophagocytic macrocytes are regarded as forms of myelophagoctitis. Sometimes, among the cells of the red substance, small erythrophagia located singly or in groups of several dozen are visible in inflammatory foci. Circulating decombinant (not exposed to fibroblasts) macroerythrocytes are detected in the blood serum.