Acquired Agranulocytosis

Definition

Definition of Acquired Agranulocytosis
A blood disorder characterized by low levels of white blood cells (granular leukocytes) in the circulating blood. The condition is usually caused by certain drugs especially chemotherapy drugs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Acquired Agranulocytosis
This disorder is mainly asymptomatic. It shows clinical features like fever, rigors and sore throat. The infection present in any organ progresses rapidly and includes the pneumonia and urinary tract infections. There may also occur septicemia which can also progress rapidly. These disorders may also lead to the gums disease which includes the gingival bleeding, increase in the secretion of saliva and halitosis. It also shows the halitosis, osteoporosis and the injury to the periodontal ligament.

Causes

Causes of Acquired Agranulocytosis
Acquired agranulocytosis can be caused by drugs, chemicals, infections, immune system dysfunction, or other factors. The mechanism of how the disease develops is not completely clear, and probably depends on the initiating event.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Acquired Agranulocytosis
It is mainly done with the help of complete blood cell count. There is a routine blood test and the absolute neutrophil count in the test is below 500. It can even reach 0 cells per cubic mili meter. The other types of blood cells are mostly normal in numbers. To diagnose this condition the other pathologies with same presentation must be left. It includes the aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, myelo dysplasia and leukemia. There should be the examination of bone marrow. It shows normal amount of cells which is referred as normo cellular. The marrow has blood and has under developed pro myelocytes. These cells if allowed to properly mature can form the missing granulocytes.

Types

Types of Acquired Agranulocytosis
Agranulocytosis can be divided into acquired agranulocytosis and congenital agranulocytosis. In case of acquired agranulocytosis, the condition occurs due to reaction or treatment with certain medications. Congenital agranulocytosis is a condition that is present by birth. Both these conditions respond well to treatment and therefore one should consult a doctor for cure.

Treatment

Treatment of Acquired Agranulocytosis
It can be treated with the multiple methods. Mainly it includes the use of close monitoring with the help of blood cell counts. The offending agent is with drawl of the medicines. A general advice must also be given. This is helpful in the patients which show no symptoms of infection. The infection in the patients which have low white blood cells must be treated as early as possible. It must be treated with the use of broad spectrum penicillin. One can also use the cephalo sporins in combination with the other antibiotics. After few days if the patient remains febrile and the causative agents are not identified than the antibiotics can be changed into glycopeptides. An anti fungal agent can also be added to the regimen. The hematological recovery can also be seen with the use of recombinant G CSF. This problem can be solved by the use of transfused granulocytes. But they survive for 10 hrs only in the blood. They can survive better in the spleen and other tissues. They give a short lasting effect. There are many complications associated with this procedure.

Prevention

Prevention of Acquired Agranulocytosis
To help reduce your chances of getting agranulocytosis, take the following steps:
1. Talk to your doctor about preventive measures when receiving white blood cell-reducing therapies.

• White blood cell-stimulating treatments such as G-CSF or GM-CSF
• Treatments to prevent the loss of white blood cells