Agranulocytosis
Agranulocytosis, also known as agranulosis or granulopenia, is an acute condition involving a severe and dangerous lowered white blood cell count (leukopenia, most commonly of neutrophils) and thus causing neutropenia in the circulating blood. It is a severe lack of one major class of infection-fighting white blood cells. People with this condition are at very high risk of serious infections due to their suppressed immune system.
| Agranulocytosis | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Hematology, immunology |
| Symptoms | Rigors, fever, sore throat, rapid infection |
| Complications | Sepsis |
| Causes | Idiosyncratic reactions to certain drugs |
| Risk factors | Cocaine use |
| Diagnostic method | Complete blood count, bone marrow examination |
| Differential diagnosis | Aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelodysplasia, leukemia |
In agranulocytosis, the concentration of granulocytes (a major class of white blood cells that includes neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils) drops below 200 cells/mm3 of blood.
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