agranulocytosis

[ uh-gran-yuh-loh-sahy-toh-sis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a serious, acute blood disease, sometimes related to drug or radiation therapy, characterized by extreme leukopenia, fever, and ulcerations of the mucous membranes.

agranulocytosis

/ əˌɡrænjʊləʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. a serious and sometimes fatal illness characterized by a marked reduction of leucocytes, usually caused by hypersensitivity to certain drugs

Word History and Origins

Origin of agranulocytosis¹

First recorded in 1925–30; a- ⁶ + granulocyte + -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of agranulocytosis¹

C20: New Latin; see a- ¹, granule , -cyte , -osis

Example Sentences

Taking clozapine has been linked to an increased risk of agranulocytosis, a condition that can make people susceptible to infections, the researchers said.

From US News

According to the study, bute causes bone-marrow depression like aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, pancytopenia, and hemolytic anemia, which are fatal in the vast majority of cases.

From Newsweek

Zhu and Graf urge users who are suffering from fever or unexplained infections to seek medical help immediately — the sooner agranulocytosis is treated, the greater the odds of survival.

From Time

But despite the wide use of levamisole, cases of agranulocytosis are relatively uncommon.

From Time

Their symptoms were consistent with a life-threatening immune-system disorder called agranulocytosis, which kills 7% to 10% of patients and is rare except in chemotherapy patients and those taking certain antipsychotic medications.

From Time