<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Introduction.</bold> Neutropenia, a disorder quite commonly encountered in blood tests, is defined as a decrease in the absolute neutrophil count below 1500/µl. Neutropenia may not be clinically significant, whereas it sometimes indicates serious haematological, infectious or rheumatic diseases. The reduction of the number of neutrocytes below 500/µl is referred to as ’agranulocytosis’. Such decrease in neutrophil count impairs host defense and makes the patient more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections, which may lead to life-threatening sepsis.<bold>Aim.</bold> This review presents the causes of congenital and acquired neutropenia, with particular attention to drug-induced neutropenia, which may occur due to the intake of the broad spectrum of drugs, including over-the-counter drugs. The article also attempts to answer the question of how the neutropenia and agranulocytosis should be diagnosed and treated.<bold>Methods.</bold> The publication is based on the analysis of the literature (PubMed database).<bold>Results.</bold> It has to be emphasized that a thorough physical examination and appropriate additional tests make it possible to diagnose a disease that causes neutropenia. This allows for the implementation of appropriate therapeutic procedures, and consequently, leads to avoidance of serious infections.</abstract>

Introduction. Neutropenia, a disorder quite commonly encountered in blood tests, is defined as a decrease in the absolute neutrophil count below 1500/µl. Neutropenia may not be clinically significant, whereas it sometimes indicates serious haematological, infectious or rheumatic diseases. The reduction of the number of neutrocytes below 500/µl is referred to as ’agranulocytosis’. Such decrease in neutrophil count impairs host defense and makes the patient more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections, which may lead to life-threatening sepsis.Aim. This review presents the causes of congenital and acquired neutropenia, with particular attention to drug-induced neutropenia, which may occur due to the intake of the broad spectrum of drugs, including over-the-counter drugs. The article also attempts to answer the question of how the neutropenia and agranulocytosis should be diagnosed and treated.Methods. The publication is based on the analysis of the literature (PubMed database).Results. It has to be emphasized that a thorough physical examination and appropriate additional tests make it possible to diagnose a disease that causes neutropenia. This allows for the implementation of appropriate therapeutic procedures, and consequently, leads to avoidance of serious infections.

Neutropenia in adults – significant diagnostic issue

Studenckie Koło Naukowe przy Klinice Hematoonkologii i Transplantacji Szpiku

Klinika Hematoonkologii i Transplantacji Szpiku

Pielegniarstwo  XXI wieku / Nursing in the 21st Century

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Neutropenia in adults \u2013 significant diagnostic issue"}

Introduction. Neutropenia, a disorder quite commonly encountered in blood tests, is defined as a decrease in the absolute neutrophil count below 1500/µl....

Neutropenia in adults – significant diagnostic issue

Published Online: May 19, 2018

Page range: 37 - 43

Received: Sep 07, 2017

Accepted: Jan 25, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pielxxiw-2018-0006

Keywords
neutropenia, neutrophils, agranulocytosis, febrile neutropenia, drug-induced neutropenia

© 2018 Paulina Stefaniuk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Neutropenia in adults – significant diagnostic issue

Published Online: May 19, 2018

Page range: 37 - 43

Received: Sep 07, 2017

Accepted: Jan 25, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pielxxiw-2018-0006

Keywordsneutropenia, neutrophils, agranulocytosis, febrile neutropenia, drug-induced neutropenia

© 2018 Paulina Stefaniuk et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
neutropenia, neutrophils, agranulocytosis, febrile neutropenia, drug-induced neutropenia