title: C reactive protein as a predictor of neutrophil recovery in autoimmune neutropenia.
abstract: Primary autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) is more common in newborns, and usually benign or self-limiting, so most cases require no specific therapy. In adults, however, for little tendency toward spontaneous remission, they require certain treatments and careful managements. Here we report a successful management of primary AIN patient by estimating the granulopoiesis according to CRP levels without administration of G-CSF or increase of prednisolone when peripheral neutrophil counts dropped down. Transient elevation of CRP associated with severe drop down in neutrophil count, and subsequent dramatic neutrophil increase was occasionally observed during the follow up with minimal dose of prednisolone. Coexistence of decreased neutrophil counts and elevated CRP levels was accompanied by increase of serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8. Although this is the report of only one patient, these elevated CRP levels combined with severe drop down and subsequently spontaneous rapid recovery in neutrophil count, were repetitively observed, suggesting the preceding CRP elevation before neutrophil recovery. We propose the important part of CRP as a predictor of granulopoiesis in patients with neutropenia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, 6-8-17 Minamitsukaguchi, Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan. rtabata@hp.pref.hyogo.jp
authors.forename: Chiharu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tabata
authors.forename: Rie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tabata
authors.forename: Hidemi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitai
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakano
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D002097:C-Reactive Protein