Agranulocytosis

/əˌɡrænuːloʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/ noun

Definition

A serious blood disorder marked by a dangerous drop in the number of granulocytes, leaving the body vulnerable to severe infections.

Etymology

From 'agranulocyte' plus medical suffix '-osis' (abnormal condition), describing the pathological state of having too few granular white blood cells.

Kelly Says

Before antibiotics, agranulocytosis was nearly always fatal—a patient's own immune system had essentially quit, leaving them helpless against any infection!

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