MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Agranulocytosis

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Agranulocytosis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Blood cells

Alternative names Return to top

Granulocytopenia; Granulopenia; Neutropenia

Definition Return to top

Agranulocytosis is a condition in which there is an insufficient number of white blood cells called neutrophils or granulocytes. This can be caused by a failure of the bone marrow to make sufficient neutrophils or when white blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. Affected people are susceptible to infections. See the blood differential test.

Update Date: 6/2/2003

Updated by: Scott Howard, M.D., M.S., Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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