In an unusual case, a patient was diagnosed with febrile neutropenia after starting benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The treatment is rarely associated with agranulocytosis, which is defined as severe neutropenia.
In an unusual case, a patient was diagnosed with febrile neutropenia after starting benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The treatment is rarely associated with agranulocytosis, which is defined as severe neutropenia.
The case was published in the American Journal of Case Reports by researchers with the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center.
While the incidence of drug-induced agranulocytosis (DIAG) has remained stable, the condition is likely underreported, according to the authors. “The detailed pathological mechanism of DIAG is poorly understood and a causal relationship between the condition and a drug can be difficult to elicit,” they wrote.
The patient in question was admitted to the emergency department with throat pain and difficulty swallowing. The patient had a white blood cell count of 0.5 K/μL with absolute neutrophilic count of zero. Hemoglobin level and platelet count were both normal.
Once the treating physicians were able to conclude benazepril, which had been prescribed to the patient 2 months prior, was the culprit causing agranulocytosis, it was discontinued as a medication.
“This resulted in fast recovery of the white blood cell count,” the authors wrote. “The patient remained afebrile for one week and was discharged with a diagnosis of benazepril-induced agranulocytosis.
Patients With MG Report Higher Azathioprine Discontinuation vs Other Immunosuppressants
May 15th 2024Survey data from over 200 patients showed that treatment discontinuation was lower for those taking mycophenolate or methotrexate than for those taking azathioprine for their myasthenia gravis (MG).
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen
Bleeds and Resource Use in Hemophilia B: Retrospective Observational Study
May 15th 2024This real-world US study describes individuals with hemophilia B who experience bleeds despite factor replacement therapy and quantifies the associated comorbidity and health care resource utilization burden.
Read More