Autoimmune neutropenia

Autoimmune Neutropenia

Autoimmune neutropenia (pronunciation: aw-toh-ih-MYOON noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh) is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys its own neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting off infections.

Etymology

The term "autoimmune neutropenia" is derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self, "immunos" meaning immune, and "penia" meaning deficiency. Thus, it refers to a deficiency of neutrophils caused by the body's own immune system.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of autoimmune neutropenia is an increased susceptibility to infections, particularly those caused by bacteria. Other symptoms may include fatigue, fever, and unexplained weight loss.

Causes

Autoimmune neutropenia is caused by the production of autoantibodies that target neutrophils. The exact reason why these autoantibodies are produced is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of autoimmune neutropenia typically involves a complete blood count (CBC) to measure the number of neutrophils, and a test for the presence of autoantibodies. Other tests may be performed to rule out other potential causes of neutropenia.

Treatment

Treatment for autoimmune neutropenia primarily involves managing symptoms and preventing infections. This may include antibiotics to treat existing infections, and prophylactic antibiotics to prevent future infections. In severe cases, treatment may involve immunosuppressive drugs or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to stimulate the production of neutrophils.

Related Terms

• Autoimmune disorder
• Neutrophils
• Autoantibodies
• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Autoimmune neutropenia
• Wikipedia's article - Autoimmune neutropenia

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