Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
Agranulocytosis (a, from the Greek, meaning without; granulocyte, a particular kind of cell; osis, from the Greek, meaning condition [esp. disorder]) is an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous leukopenia particularly of neutrophils causing a neutropenia in the circulating blood.[1][2]
Concentrations of granulocytes (a class that includes neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils) can often drop to below 500 cells/mm³ of blood), less than one-sixth of the reference value of 3-10 x 103 cells/mm³.[citation needed]
Agranulocytosis may be asymptomatic, but may clinically present with sudden fever, rigors and sore throat. Infection of any organ may be rapidly progressive (e.g., pneumonia, urinary tract infection). Septicemia may also progress rapidly.
A large number of drugs have been associated with agranulocytosis, including antiepileptics, antithyroid drugs (carbimazole, methimazole, and propylthiouracil), antibiotics (penicillin, chloramphenicol and co-trimoxazole), cytotoxic drugs, gold, NSAIDs (indomethacin, naproxen, phenylbutazone), the antidepressant mirtazapine, and some antipsychotics (the atypical antipsychotic clozapine)[3]. Clozapine users in the US must be nationally registered for monitoring of low WBC and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC). Although the reaction is generally idiosyncratic rather than proportional, experts recommend that patients be told about the symptoms of agranulocytosis-related infection, such as a sore throat and a fever.[citation needed]
Neutropenia and agranulocytosis are associated with gum disease such as gingival bleeding, saliva increase, halitosis, osteoporosis, and destruction of periodontal ligament.[citation needed]
The diagnosis is made on a complete blood count, a routine blood test performed frequently in general practice and especially in hospital setting.
The neutrophil count is below 500 and can reach 0 cells/mm3. Other series are normally spared. The myelogram (bone marrow sample) shows normocellular blood marrow with promyelocyte’s maturation arrest. To formally diagnose agranulocytosis, other pathologies with a similar presentation must be excluded, such as aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelodysplasia and leukemias. This requires a bone marrow examination.
[tubepress mode=’tag’, tagValue=’Agranulocytosis’]