A benign condition diagnosed in young adults, with some resemblance to autoimmune neutropenia in children and the so-called ethnic neutropenia:
- Occurs in young adults.
- Because of the lack of any definitive tests, the diagnoses “autoimmune neutropenia” and “idiopathic neutropenia” are used nearly synonymously.
- Neutropenia may be mild, moderate or severe; may be associated with profound reduction in neutrophil count (< 0.5 x 109/L).
- Usually detected incidentally on a complete blood count.
- Those with severe neutropenia may develop recurrent fevers, upper respiratory infections and skin infections, but the infections are readily treated with antibiotics in most cases.
- The ANC may normalize during infections.
- Rarely associated with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases.
- Lasts several years or even life-long, with a female predominance (80% women).
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