Pancytopenia: Difference between revisions

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* [[Systemic lupus erythematosus]]
* [[Systemic lupus erythematosus]]
* [[Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]] (urine test)
* [[Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria]] (urine test)
* [[viral infection]]s (such as [[HIV]], EBV--unknown virus is most common).
* [[viral infection]]s (such as [[HIV]], EBV--undetermined virus is most common).
* [[Alimentary toxic aleukia]]
* [[Alimentary toxic aleukia]]
* [[Copper deficiency]]
* [[Copper deficiency]]

Revision as of 11:51, 9 April 2015

Pancytopenia
SpecialtyHematology Edit this on Wikidata

Pancytopenia is a medical condition in which there is a reduction in the number of red and white blood cells, as well as platelets.

If only two parameters from the full blood count are low, the term bicytopenia can be used. The diagnostic approach is the same as for pancytopenia.

Definition

  • anemia: hemoglobin < 13.5 g/dL (male) or 12 g/dL (female).
  • leukopenia: total white cell count < 4.0 x 109/L. Decrease in all types of white blood cells (revealed by doing a differential count).
  • thrombocytopenia: platelet count < 150×109/L.

The disease is marked by an inappropriate and ineffective T cell activation that leads to an increased hemophagocytic activity. The T cell activated macrophages engulf erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, as well as their progenitor cells. Such finding is common in the syndrome, which is also referred to as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Along with pancytopenia, HLH is characterized by fever, splenomegaly, and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, liver, or lymph nodes.

Iatrogenic causes of pancytopenia include chemotherapy for malignancies if the drug or drugs used cause bone marrow suppression. Rarely, drugs (antibiotics, blood pressure medication, heart medication) can cause pancytopenia. The antibiotics Linezolid and Chloramphenicol can cause pancytopenia in some individuals.

Rarely, pancytopenia may have other causes, such as mononucleosis, or other viral diseases. Increasingly, HIV is itself a cause for pancytopenia.

Causes

Diagnosis

Pancytopenia usually requires a bone marrow biopsy in order to distinguish among different causes.

References

  1. ^ Kossenko, M.M (August 1994). "Analysis of Chronic Radiation Sickness Cases in the Population of the Souther Urals (AD-A286 238)". DTIC. p. 5. Retrieved 1 August 2013. Complete blood counts, when taken, revealed pancytopenia. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

{{Diseases of RBCs and megakaryocytes}} may refer to:

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External links