A new syndrome characterised by absence of eosinophils and basophils

The clinical and laboratory findings in a patient constantly lacking eosinophil and basophil leucocytes in bone-marrow, blood, expectorates, and skin exudate are reported. He had repeated infections, asthma, haemolytic anaemia, vasomotor rhinitis, alopecia totalis, widespread scabies, and an extensive growth of warts. His IgA and IgE are low and this may account for some of the clinical features. When his plasma and serum were added in vitro the buffy coat of blood from other subjects, degranulation of eosinophils was seen within two hours. An immunological destruction of eosinophils and basophils is the most plausible explanation for their absence.