Neutropenia

Neutropenia is an abnormally low number of neutrophils in the blood. It can reduce the body's ability to fight bacterial and fungal infections.

Neutrophil: A type of white blood cell that engulfs microbes and helps initiate inflammation. Neutropenia is defined by a reduced number of these cells.
Complete blood count: A blood test that measures blood cells, including white cells and their subtypes. Its differential count commonly detects neutropenia.
Drug-induced neutropenia: A low neutrophil count caused by a medication through marrow suppression or immune effects. Medication exposure is a frequent and potentially reversible cause.
Leukopenia: A reduction in the total number of white blood cells in the blood. Neutropenia concerns one white-cell type, while leukopenia measures the total.
Absolute neutrophil count: A blood-test measure of the number of neutrophils in a unit of blood. This count is used to classify the severity of neutropenia.
Blood differential: A laboratory count reporting the proportions or numbers of different white blood cell types. It distinguishes low neutrophils from changes in other white cells.
Aplastic anemia: A bone-marrow failure disorder in which production of blood cells falls markedly. It can reduce neutrophils alongside red cells and platelets.
Lymphopenia: An abnormally low number of lymphocytes, a different group of white blood cells. It is another specific white-cell deficiency, involving a distinct immune population.
Granulopoiesis: The production of granulocytes, including neutrophils, from precursor cells in bone marrow. Reduced production can lower circulating neutrophil levels.
Bone marrow biopsy: A procedure that samples marrow tissue to assess blood-cell production and marrow disorders. It may help investigate persistent or unexplained neutropenia.

Linked from 12 pages