The Arneth index is a medical term used to describe the proportion of neutrophils with different lobes in their nuclei. The pronunciation of Arneth is ['ɑːnɛt], and the spelling of the word follows conventional English phonetics. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "a" sound, while the second syllable has a short "e". The "th" at the end is pronounced with a frictionless "th," like "breathe" or "bathe." Health professionals use the Arneth index to diagnose various medical conditions and understand the underlying causes of conditions.
The Arneth index is a medical term used to describe a method of assessing and classifying the types of white blood cells called neutrophils present in a person's blood sample. It was developed by the Austrian physician Josef Arneth in the early 20th century as a way to distinguish different levels of maturation and segmentation of these cells.
The Arneth index is determined by examining a blood smear sample under a microscope and counting the types of neutrophils present based on the number of nuclear lobes or segments visible in their structure. Neutrophils with fewer nuclear segments are considered less mature, while those with more segments are classified as more mature.
The index is expressed as a ratio of the different types of neutrophils observed, usually in a five-part classification system ranging from 1 to 5. A higher Arneth index value indicates a greater proportion of neutrophils with more nuclear segments, suggesting a higher degree of cellular maturity.
The Arneth index has been used in the field of hematology to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of various conditions, such as infections, inflammatory diseases, and certain types of leukemia. However, its clinical significance has diminished over time due to advancements in automated blood cell analyzers, which provide a more accurate and efficient means of evaluating white blood cell differentials.
The word "Arneth index" is named after the Austrian pathologist and physician Josef Arneth (1791-1863). Josef Arneth was known for his work in hematology, particularly in the study of white blood cells. The "Arneth index" refers to a classification system developed by Arneth to categorize the different forms and stages of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) based on the number of nuclear lobes. This index is still used today in certain hematological evaluations.