What term describes a deficiency of granulocytes in the blood?

Agranulocytosis refers to a significant deficiency of granulocytes, which are a type of white blood cell essential for fighting off infections. In this condition, the levels of neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are drastically reduced, leading to a weakened immune response. This reduction can be caused by various factors, including bone marrow disorders, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases. The term specifically highlights the lack of these granule-containing leukocytes, emphasizing a critical risk for infections as granulocytes play a vital role in the body’s defense mechanisms.

The other terms do not pertain to a deficiency of granulocytes specifically. Neutrophilia refers to an increase in neutrophils, which is the opposite condition. Polycythemia Vera denotes an increased number of red blood cells, affecting blood viscosity but is unrelated to granulocytes. Pancytopenia is a broader term encompassing deficiencies of all types of blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets), not just granulocytes, making it less specific in this context. Therefore, agranulocytosis is the most accurate term to describe the deficiency of granulocytes in the blood.