Agranulocytosis is a condition involving a severe decrease in neutrophils in the blood, increasing the risk of infection. It can be caused by decreased neutrophil production due to conditions like aplastic anemia or cancer treatments, or increased neutrophil destruction from infections, autoimmune disorders, or drug reactions. Symptoms include fever, chills, and mouth sores. Diagnosis is made through blood tests showing very low neutrophil counts. Treatment focuses on managing infections with antibiotics, stimulating new neutrophil production with growth factors, and addressing any underlying causes.

1. AGRANULOCYTOSIS
RATHEESH.R.L

2. DEFINITION
• Agranulocytosis, also known as agranulosis or
granulopenia, is an acute condition involving a
severe and dangerous leukopenia (lowered white
blood cell count), most commonly of neutrophils
causing a neutropenia in the circulating blood.

3. ETIOLOGY
• The exact cause is unknown
• It may be because of either decreased
production of neutrophils or increased
destruction of neutrophils

4. decreased production of neutrophils
Aplastic anemia
Cancers, lymphoma and leukemia
Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy

5. increased destruction of neutrophils
• Hypersplenism
• Auto immune disorders
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Bone marrow diseases or destruction
• Use of drugs- psychotrophic medicines, anti thyroid
agents, anti coagulants and antibiotics

6. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
ETIOLOGY
FAILURE OF NEUTROPHIL PRODUCTION OR
INCREASED DESTRUCTION OF NEUTROPHILS
NEUTROPHILS ARE LESS THAN 2000/MM3
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO INFECTION

7. CLINICAL FEATURES
THE EARLY SYMPTOMS ARE
• sudden fever
• chills
• sore throat
• weakness in your limbs
• sore mouth and gums
• mouth ulcers
• bleeding gums

8. LATE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE
• fast heart rate
• rapid breathing
• low blood pressure
• skin abscesses

9. DIAGNOSIS
• HISTORY COLLECTION AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
• BLOOD STUDIES
The diagnosis is made after a complete blood count,
a routine blood test. The absolute neutrophil count in this
test will be below 500, and can reach 0 cells/mm³
• CULTURE STUDIES
culture of urine, blood and ulcerative lesion in throat
are positive for bacteria

10. management
• 1. colony stimulating factors:
use of growth factors such as granulocyte-
colony stimulating factors or granulocyte-macrophage-
colony stimulating factor and erythropoiten can be effective
in increasing neutrophil production.

11. • 2, antibiotics
combination of broad spectrum antibiotics are
usually administered incase of viral and bacterial infections.
• 3. corticosteroids
corticosteroids may be used if the cause is an
immunological disorder

12. NURSING MANAGEMENT
• Monitor patients leukocyte count regularlly
• Maintain strict aseptic techniques during procedures
• Maintain proper isolation of the patient
• Administer proper antibiotics to the patient
• Provide skin care and prevent dryness of the skin

13. • Maintain proper hygiene
• Instruct to avoid acidic foods and alcoholic beverages
• Provide psychological support to the patients
• Encourage to avoid self medications

14. NURSING DIAGNOSIS
• Risk for infection related to neutropenia
• Risk for impaired skin integrity related to pancytopenia
• Knowledge deficit related to toxic agents that causes
agranulocytosis