[Drug induced agranulocytosis]

Abstract

Drug-induced agranulocytosis comprises a severe selective neutropenia in a hypersensitive individual. The compelling problem in a single case to determine the etiology of agranulocytosis results from multiple drug consumption, use of composed preparations and the unknown relative risk of most of the incriminated drugs. Immune and toxic mechanisms may be involved, however, the underlying pathomechanism does not correlate with typical hematological and clinical features of agranulocytosis. Prognosis is associated with the infectious state of the patient and the duration of the neutropenic phase which reflects the degree of impairment of bone marrow hemopoiesis. After withdrawal of all potentially hazardous drugs treatment of agranulocytosis follows the therapeutical approach in severe neutropenias due to cytostatic drug exposure.