Low neutrophil counts are detected on a full blood count.
Generally, some other investigations are required to arrive at the right diagnosis.
When the diagnosis is uncertain, or serious causes are suspected, bone marrow biopsy is often necessary.
Other investigations commonly performed: serial neutrophil counts for suspected cyclic neutropenia, tests for antineutrophil antibodies, autoantibody screen and investigations for systemic lupus erythematosus, vitamin B12 and folate assays and acidified serum (Ham's) test.
There is no ideal therapy for neutropenia, but recombinant G-CSF
(granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) can be effective in chemotherapy
patients, in patients with congenital forms of neutropenia including
severe congenital neutropenia, autosomal recessive Kostmann's syndrome,
cyclic neutropenia, and myelokathexis.
Further Reading
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"Neutropenia"
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