Acquired Agranulocytosis

What is Acquired Agranulocytosis?

Acquired Agranulocytosis is characterized by a shortage of white blood cells in the blood. Acquired Agranulocytosis is caused by the use of a wide variety of drugs.

What are the symptoms of Acquired Agranulocytosis?

Common symptoms of Acquired Agranulocytosis include the following:

• Increased risk of bacterial infection
• Weakness
• Chills
• Fever
• Extreme exhaustion
• Development of infected ulcers in the throat, mouth and intestinal tract

What causes Acquired Agranulocytosis?

Acquired Agranulocytosis is cause by exposure to drugs or chemicals that inhibit bone marrow activity. If the doses are large enough, some of these drugs can cause Acquired Agranulocytosis in most patients. Some drugs will cause Acquired Agranulocytosis in some patients and not in others. Researchers are not sure why some patients will develop it and some don’t. There is a large variability from patient to patient.

How is Acquired Agranulocytosis diagnosed?

Acquired Agranulocytosis is diagnosed thorough a complete medical history. Laboratory tests to measure and establish low levers of granulocytes in the blood. Individuals who take drugs that place them at high risk for acquired agranulocytosis will need periodic testing of their blood. For example, patients taking clozapine have their levels of granulocytes measured each week.

What are the treatments for Acquired Agranulocytosis?

Treatment with no signs of infection is mostly focused on monitoring blood counts, withdrawal of the medication and keeping the patient aware of fever as a significant development to be monitored closely.

Where can I find out more about Acquired Agranulocytosis?

• NIH
• NORD
• Check Orphan