Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of AgranulocytosisSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Agranulocytosis
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
White blood cells are the powerhouse of theimmune system. There are several types of white blood cells, and each does a particular job. One type of white blood cells is calledgranulocytes.
This group ofwhite blood cells—which includesneutrophilsthat fight bacterial infections,eosinophilsthat fight parasitic infections, andbasophilsthat respond to allergens—releases tiny particles filled with enzymes during infections, allergic reactions, and asthma.
For most of us, the number of white blood cells like granulocytes that circulate in the body increase when you are fighting an infection. Some people have too few granulocytes, though, and this can result inagranulocytosis.This condition can put you at risk for developing severe infections.
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There are two main types of agranulocytosis. You are either born with it, or you acquire the condition later on:
White Blood Cells (WBCs): Types and Function
Agranulocytosis does not cause any symptoms. You may not notice adrop in your white blood count, but you will feel the result of that drop: an infection. Common symptoms of an infection include:
Agranulocytosis is extremely rare, affecting roughly seven people out of every 1 million.
There is really only one cause for congenital agranulocytosis: genetic mutation. Acquired agranulocytosis, on the other hand, can develop because of:
Many times, the medications that are to blame for the development of this condition are cancer drugs that suppress the activity in your bone marrow. However, many medications can lead to this reaction, including someantipsychotic medicationslike Clozaril (clozapine).
Clozaril is often used to treat conditions like the serious mental health disorderschizophrenia, and it has been linked to the development of agranulocytosis, usually within the first few weeks of treatment.
While death from agranulocytosis in people who developed the condition after taking Clozaril is rare, people who take this medication appear to develop the condition more often than people taking other types of drugs. According to one study, about one in 250 people taking Clozaril developed agranulocytosis.
Diagnosis of agranulocytosis is typically made with a blood test. Your doctor may order testing if you have been experiencing frequent, severe infections or if you are at risk because of an underlying condition or the medications you are taking.
The blood test that is usually ordered is a complete blood count (CBC), along with anabsolute neutrophiland differential count. ACBCwill count the number of red and white blood cells in a sample, but the neutrophil and differential counts provide information on how much of each type of white blood cell you have.
Agranulocytosis is essentially a severe form ofneutropenia, when you have too many neutrophils, but these conditions are classified differently depending on how low your neutrophil count becomes.
The ranges of neutrophil count are:
One of the main ways acquired agranulocytosis is treated is to stop taking the medication that is causing it. If it’s a chemotherapy medication that is causing your white blood cell count (WBC) to drop, you and your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of continuing vs. stopping your treatment.
If stopping a medication isn’t the answer, there are some drugs that can help your body produce more white blood cells faster, like granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) medications.
Outside of addressing the cause of your agranulocytosis, your doctor will talk to you about preventing infection. This can include:
If stopping these treatments doesn’t help, you may need to consider undergoing abone marrow transplant. With this procedure, you will receive bone marrow from a donor that matches your tissue type. After the bone marrow is transplanted, it will help repopulate your body with healthy cells.
Common and Serious Antibiotic Side Effects in Children
Agranulocytosis is generally a treatable condition. People who have a higher risk of developing complications or even dying because of agranulocytosis include people who:
Managing conditions like agranulocytosis can be challenging because you may have to avoid some activities that you enjoy. People who deal with low WBC report a general lower quality of life, as well as symptoms like:
Some other ways you can cope with agranulocytosis include:
If you develop an infection and have been diagnosed with agranulocytosis, check in with your doctor regularly. It’s important to manage the infection early before it becomes more severe, possibly resulting insepsis, your body’s extreme response to an infection throughout the body or even death.
Summary
Agranulocytosis occurs when you have a low level of granulocytes, a type of white blood cells that release particles filled with enzymes during an infection, allergic reaction, or asthma. This condition doesn’t cause any symptoms, but it will increase your risk of infections, which will cause symptoms like fever, chills, headaches, and body aches.
The only way to find out if you have agranulocytosis is through a blood test called a complete blood count. You will want to practice strategies to prevent infections like washing your hands frequently.
What Do High Immature Granulocyte Levels Mean?
A Word From Verywell
A weakened immune system can limit your activities. Conditions like agranulocytosis decrease the amount of white blood cells your body has to fight infection, making you more prone to severe infection and even death. This problem can be present at birth or develop because you have a certain disease or are taking medication. Talk to your doctor about how to protect yourself and boost your immune system if you develop this condition.
When will you know if you have agranulocytosis?
If you are having frequent or severe infections and have a condition or medication that can lower your white blood cell count, talk to your doctor about being tested. In some cases, such as during cancer treatment, your blood counts will be monitored throughout the process as a part of your treatment plan.
How does agranulocytosis differ from neutropenia?
Agranulocytosis is a more severe form of neutropenia, which is when you have a low level of white blood cells called neutrophils. With neutropenia, you have less than 1,000 neutrophils, but with agranulocytosis you have less than 100.
Does Clozaril cause agranulocytosis?
Yes. A number of medications can cause agranulocytosis, and Clozaril is one of them. Talk to your doctor if you have started taking this medication and become ill or get an infection. Most cases of agranulocytosis from Clozaril develop in the first few months after you start treatment.
What happens when you have a low white blood cell count?
When you have a low white blood cell count, you have a lower-than-normal number of cells that fight infection. A simple cold or injury can turn into something much more serious when your white blood cell count is low.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Granulocyte.National Cancer Institute.Agranulocytosis.Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.What is Kostmann’s syndrome?National Organization for Rare Disorders.Agranulocytosis, acquired.Cleveland Clinic.Agranulocytosis.Mijovic A, MacCabe JH.Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.Ann Hematol. August 20, 2020;99(11):2477-2482. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04215-yAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding your lab test results.Michniacki TF, et al.Quality of life and patient reported outcomes in severe chronic neutropenia.Blood. November 13, 2019;134(1). doi:10.1182/blood-2019-126808National Cancer Institute.Infection and neutropenia during cancer treatment.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Granulocyte.National Cancer Institute.Agranulocytosis.Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.What is Kostmann’s syndrome?National Organization for Rare Disorders.Agranulocytosis, acquired.Cleveland Clinic.Agranulocytosis.Mijovic A, MacCabe JH.Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.Ann Hematol. August 20, 2020;99(11):2477-2482. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04215-yAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding your lab test results.Michniacki TF, et al.Quality of life and patient reported outcomes in severe chronic neutropenia.Blood. November 13, 2019;134(1). doi:10.1182/blood-2019-126808National Cancer Institute.Infection and neutropenia during cancer treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Cancer Institute.Granulocyte.National Cancer Institute.Agranulocytosis.Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.What is Kostmann’s syndrome?National Organization for Rare Disorders.Agranulocytosis, acquired.Cleveland Clinic.Agranulocytosis.Mijovic A, MacCabe JH.Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.Ann Hematol. August 20, 2020;99(11):2477-2482. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04215-yAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding your lab test results.Michniacki TF, et al.Quality of life and patient reported outcomes in severe chronic neutropenia.Blood. November 13, 2019;134(1). doi:10.1182/blood-2019-126808National Cancer Institute.Infection and neutropenia during cancer treatment.
National Cancer Institute.Granulocyte.
National Cancer Institute.Agranulocytosis.
Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.What is Kostmann’s syndrome?
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Agranulocytosis, acquired.
Cleveland Clinic.Agranulocytosis.
Mijovic A, MacCabe JH.Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.Ann Hematol. August 20, 2020;99(11):2477-2482. doi:10.1007/s00277-020-04215-y
American Cancer Society.Understanding your lab test results.
Michniacki TF, et al.Quality of life and patient reported outcomes in severe chronic neutropenia.Blood. November 13, 2019;134(1). doi:10.1182/blood-2019-126808
National Cancer Institute.Infection and neutropenia during cancer treatment.
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