Neutrophil agglutinins in idiopathic chronic neutropenia of early childhood
R. Ducos, P. R. Madyastha, R. P. Warrier, A. B. Glassman and L. R. Shirley
Twelve patients with chronic neutropenia, ranging in age from 7 to 27
months, were studied for circulating antineutrophil autoantibodies.
Absolute neutrophil counts ranged from 0 to 500/cu mm. None of the patients
was transfused or had a history of prior drug ingestion. Edetic
acid-microagglutination was employed to detect leukocyte antibodies. Sera
from six of 12 patients contained antineutrophil antibodies, four reacting
with neutrophils from the father and two from the mother. Patient sera also
reacted with neutrophils of several unrelated normal volunteers. Four of
the six patient sera with antineutrophil antibodies also reacted with
autologous neutrophils. The duration of neutropenia was seven months in one
patient with antibody whose neutropenia resolved. Patients with neutrophil
autoantibody did not clinically differ from those without demonstrable
antibody. The coexistent fall in leukoagglutinin titer and rise in
neutrophil counts in one patient suggested an etiologic role for this
antibody. Detection and proper diagnosis have important therapeutic
implications.
