Neutropenia refers to the lack of peripherally circulating neutrophilic granulocytes. An intrinsic neutropenia, which is caused by a defect of the bone marrow cells, is differentiated from a secondary neutropenia, which results from extrinsic factors, and is therefore also called acquired neutropenia.
Intrinsic factors include an aplastic anemia or certain genetic disorders such as Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. However, infections, alcoholism, malignancies, or cytotoxic drugs are extrinsic factors.
Depending on the number of neutrophil granulocytes remaining in the blood, neutropenia is subdivided into three stages. In the case of weak neutropenia, the absolute number of neutrophils is between 1000 and 1500 / l, and between 500 and 1000 / l in male patients, and in heavy cases below 500 / l.
Neutropenia itself is asymptomatic but due to the important role of neutrophils in the defense against bacterial and mycotic infections, severe general diseases can occur. The lack of local signs of inflammation is often characteristic, often fever is the only indication of an infection. Affected persons may suffer from painful ulcers of the oral cavity, abdominal pain, painful urination or diarrhea. These symptoms are caused by appropriate local infections.
In particularly severe cases, bacteria can cause disease. Significant complications of neutropenia include phlegmon, pneumonia, and septicemia, which can be fatal. Depending on the cause, neutropenia can be acute or chronic. The risk of infection increases proportionally with the severity of neutropenia.
Treatment takes place through a treatment of the acute infection, and an elimination of the causative factors.