Agranulocytosis

AGRANULOCYTOSIS (from Greek a- negative particle, Latin granulum-grain and Greek kytos-cell), a sharp reduction, up to complete absence, of granulocytes-granular leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) both in peripheral blood and in hematopoietic organs. Agranulocytosis is a characteristic feature of the symptom complex described in 1923 by Schultz and Friedmann under the name 'agranulocytic angina' (see Angina). In the bone marrow in this condition, only lymphoid elements are noted, with a decrease in megakaryocytes and solitary erythroblasts; the oxidase reaction is negative. In general, the bone marrow in A. somewhat resembles the condition of the bone marrow in aplastic anemia, but the phenomena of severe anemia and hemorrhagic diathesis in A. are absent. Agranulocytosis is also an invariable companion of aleukia (see). Experimental agranulocytosis was obtained by Schittenhelm and Erchardt by injecting animals Trypanblau.