Author:

Keywords:

Adult, Aged, Agranulocytosis, Bone Marrow, Female, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor, Humans, Leukocyte Count, Male, Middle Aged, Neutrophils, Recombinant Proteins, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult, Risk Factors, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Hematology, RH-G-CSF, DRUG-INDUCED AGRANULOCYTOSIS, ARDS, COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR, METHIMAZOLE-INDUCED AGRANULOCYTOSIS, GM-CSF, NEUTROPENIA, THERAPY, KINETICS, RECOVERY, CANCER, FEVER, Respiratory Distress Syndrome, 1102 Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Immunology, 3201 Cardiovascular medicine and haematology

Abstract:

Nine patients with drug-induced agranulocytosis received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) to accelerate myeloid recovery because of life-threatening infections related to neutropenia. All patients showed a quick recovery of their granulocyte counts. Side effects were substantial, however. Three patients, two with a severe infection and one with preexisting pulmonary infiltrates, developed worsening of their respiratory status during neutrophil recovery, resulting in clinical manifestations of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In view of these major complications, the exact place of hematopoietic growth factors in the treatment of drug-induced agranulocytosis remains to be determined.