Agranulocytosis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Agranulocytosis Explained: Causes, Symptoms, And Diagnosis

Question. Write a short note on agranulocytosis.

Answer. It is defined as an acute disease marked by a deficiency or absolute lack of granulocytic WBCs, i.e., neutrophils,basophils, and eosinophils.

1. Endocrine causes like hyperpituitarism, hypoadrenalism.

2. Agranulocytosis due to drugs: This is a very important cause and is related to the dosage of drugs as well as sensitivity reactions. The main drugs are:

• Anti­cancer drugs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Phenothiazines and tranquilizers
• Sulfonamides and cotrimoxazole
• Anti­thyroid drugs
• Anti­diabetic drugs
• Anti­histaminics
• Anti­epileptic drugs
• Anti­microbial agents

Agranulocytosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Clinical Manifestations

• Females are more commonly affcted than males
• Early manifestations of agranulocytosis are may be in form of sore throat or pain.
• There may be fever going up to 130°F, sometimes coming with rigor chills, body ache and pain and extreme degree of prostration.
• In large number of cases ulceromembranous lesions appear on throat, tonsils, gum, tongue and genitalia
• These are often covered with grayish black exudates and may become gangrenous.
• Lymph gland generally cervical groups and in some, there are generalized lymphadenopathy
• Liver and spleen may become enlarged.
• As disease progresses severe toxemia develops and patient may go into shock.

Causes of Agranulocytosis and Its Symptoms

The diagnosis of agranulocytosis is based on clinical history and physical examination.

• Person with history of sore throat, fever with rigor and chills, body ache and extreme degree of prostration (absolute exhaustion).
• In large number of cases ulceromembranous lesions are present on throat, tonsil, gums, tongue and genitalia. The lesions are covered with grayish black exudates and become gangrenous.
• Confirmation of diagnosis is made by laboratory investigations.
• Peripheral blood fim shows complete absence of neutrophils.
• Bone marrow is hypocellular and there is depletion of myeloid elements.

Agranulocytosis Diagnosis and Treatment

Question. Write notes on oral manifestations of Hematological Disorder.

Answer.

Following are the oral manifestations of hematological disorders: