agranulocytosis

American  

[uh-gran-yuh-loh-sahy-toh-sis] / əˌgræn yə loʊ saɪˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. a serious, acute blood disease, sometimes related to drug or radiation therapy, characterized by extreme leukopenia, fever, and ulcerations of the mucous membranes.

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agranulocytosis British  

/ əˌɡrænjʊləʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. a serious and sometimes fatal illness characterized by a marked reduction of leucocytes, usually caused by hypersensitivity to certain drugs

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Etymology

Origin of agranulocytosis

First recorded in 1925–30; a- ⁶ + granulocyte + -osis

Example Sentences

But in the 1960s, physicians linked medically prescribed potassium perchlorate to a number of deaths by aplastic anemia and severe agranulocytosis, two blood disorders.

From Slate • Apr. 7, 2015

The appearance of agranulocytosis -- marked by a drop in white blood cells -- is always tragic.

From Time Magazine Archive

For patients who get the drug, the greatest drawback is the risk of developing agranulocytosis.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then agranulocytosis struck, and he had to be taken off the drug.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now scientists are exploring an entire spectrum of what Dr. Steven Paul, vice president for central-nervous-system research at Eli Lilly, calls "Clozaril wannabes" that they hope will work as well without triggering agranulocytosis.

From Time Magazine Archive