Fatalities related to agranulocytosis are primarily due to which of the following?

• A. Infections and compromised immune status
• B. Cardiovascular failure
• C. Renal failure
• D. Neurological complications

Answer: (A)

Agranulocytosis causes a dangerous drop in neutrophils, the white blood cells most important for fighting bacterial infections. With very few neutrophils, infections can take hold quickly and spread, leading to sepsis, multi-organ failure, and death. That’s why fatalities are primarily due to infections and the resulting compromised immune defense. While cardiovascular, renal, or neurological problems can occur in illness or treatment, they are not the main drivers of death in agranulocytosis. Effective management centers on stopping the offending drug, monitoring for fever and signs of infection, starting prompt broad-spectrum antibiotics for febrile neutropenia, and, when appropriate, therapies to raise neutrophil counts.