Introduction

Granulocytes are a typeof white blood cell that help fight infection. 'A granulocytosis ' and 'neutropenia' are terms often used to describe a deficiency of these cells.

However, the two terms shouldn't be used interchangeably, as they describe slightly different conditions.

  • agranulocytosis is the term used when the bone marrow (soft tissue inside bone) fails to make enough granulocytes
  • neutropenia is the term used when the bone marrow fails to make enough of a specific group ofgranulocytes called neutrophils

Although these conditions are slightly different, theytend toshare many similar causes and symptoms, and are often treated in a similar way.

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Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 14 Sep 2016