Learn About Agranulocytosis
White blood cells fight infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other germs. One important type of white blood cell is the granulocyte, which is made in the bone marrow and travels in the blood throughout the body. Granulocytes sense infections, gather at sites of infection, and destroy the germs.
When the body has too few granulocytes, the condition is called agranulocytosis. This makes it harder for the body to fight off germs. As a result, the person may get sick from infections.
Granulocytopenia; Granulopenia; Neutropenia
Agranulocytosis may be caused by:
- Autoimmune disorders
- Bone marrow diseases, such as myelodysplasia or large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia
- Certain medicines used to treat diseases, including cancer
- Certain street drugs
- Poor nutrition
- Preparation for bone marrow transplant
- Benign familial neutropenia
- Genetic variants, especially in people of certain African and Caribbean ethnicities
Symptoms of this condition may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Malaise
- General weakness
- Sore throat
- Mouth and throat ulcers
- Bone pain
- Pneumonia
- Shock
Treatment depends on the cause of the low white blood cell count. For example, if a medicine is the cause, stopping or changing to another medicine may help. In other cases, medicines to help the body make more white blood cells will be used. If the cause is due to normal genes, no treatment is required.
Gary Lyman is an Oncologist in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Lyman is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Agranulocytosis. His top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), and Breast Cancer.
Matti Aapro practices in Genolier, Switzerland. Aapro is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Agranulocytosis. Their top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer, and Breast Cancer.
Elio Castagnola practices in Genoa, Italy. Mr. Castagnola is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Agranulocytosis. His top areas of expertise are Infantile Neutropenia, Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Endoscopy.
Treating or removing the cause often results in a good outcome.
If you are having treatment or taking medicine that could cause agranulocytosis, your health care provider will use blood tests to monitor you.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy and evaluate the safety and tolerability of mavorixafor in participants with congenital or acquired primary autoimmune and idiopathic chronic neutropenic disorders who are experiencing recurrent and/or serious infections as assessed by demonstrating its clinical benefit and increasing levels of circulating neutrophils.
Summary: This single-arm, open-label clinical study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a standardized empirical anti-infective escalation protocol for patients with hematological malignancies complicated by febrile neutropenia. The treatment algorithm follows a sequential strategy: initial carbapenem monotherapy (2 days) → if ineffective, combination with vancomycin/linezolid (3 days) → if no response, e...
Published Date: June 17, 2024
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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