Research Progress in Drug-induced Agranulocytosis

Agranulocytosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease, which is attributable to drugs in about 70%-90% of cases. Drug-induced agranulocytosis(DIAG) is characterized by a remarkable decrease or an absolute lack of circulating granulocytes, with a neutrophil count of<0.5×10⁹·L^-1 in blood circulation. Almost all classes of drugs have been implicated with DIAG, but the high risk is only associated with several kind of drugs, such as antithyroid drugs, psychotropic agents and antibiotics. DIAG is an adverse reaction to the drug due to individual-specific susceptibility, and is usually not associated with the administered dose. The pathological mechanism of DIAG is related to direct cytotoxicity, immune reaction and genetic susceptibility. Immediate discontinuation of the suspected drug, initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics and consideration of the use of haematopoietic cell growth factors in high-risk patients are critical to reducing the mortality of DIAG.