What is Neutropenia?

Neutropenia is the medical term that describes an abnormally low neutrophil count, i.e. not enough circulating neutrophils in the blood. The term neutropenia derives from the words neutrophil (= loving neither) and penia (= poverty, lack, dearth, deficiency).

2) What are neutrophils?

Neutrophils (a.k.a. polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes) are a type of white blood cells (leukocytes). They are part of the body's immune system, i.e. the defense mechanism against parasitic, bacterial, and viral infections. Neutrophils help the body fight off bacterial and fungal infections. Neutrophils are granulocytes, which means that their cytoplasm contains granules. These granules react very mildly (they turn light pink) when exposed to either acidic or basic stains. (Hence the name "neutrophils" to describe this particular type of white blood cells: from the Latin neuter, neither, and the Greek philein, to love, to have an affinity for. Neutrophils have no affinity for either type of stain.)

3) Where are neutrophils produced?

Neutrophils (as well as red blood cells and platelets) are produced in the bone marrow.

4) What is a normal neutrophil count?

A normal neutrophil count (the ANC) ranges from 1500 to 8000 neutrophils per microliter of blood.

5) What is a low neutrophil count?

An neutrophil count under 1000 per microliter of blood is considered low. In severe forms of neutropenia, the number of neutrophils can be as low as under 500 cells.

6) What causes neutropenia?

A variety of conditions, ranging from vitamin deficiencies and influenza to autoimmune diseases, cancer, radiation therapy, and certain medications (chemotherapeutic agents) have been known to cause an abnormally low number of neutrophils.

7) What are the symptoms of neutropenia?

In its mild form, neutropenia may be asymptomatic. In moderate and severe neutropenia, the symptoms are essentially those of infection. Neutropenic patients are much more susceptible to bacterial infections and less able to fight them off. Symptoms of neutropenia include recurrent and persistent infections, fever, mouth sores (ulcerations), sore throat, and diarrhea.

8) How is neutropenia diagnosed?

An neutrophil count test is performed as part of a CBC (complete blood count). If the cause of neutropenia is unknown, the physician may perform a bone marrow biopsy.

9) How is neutropenia treated?

The treatment for neutropenia targets the underlying condition. Corticosteroid medications are used to treat certain forms of neutropenia, especially if the underlying, triggering condition is an autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus). If the underlying cause is a viral infection, the neutrophil count may revert to normal levels once the infection has been treated successfully.

Sources:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1640.htm

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch174/ch174b.html