Introduction
Neutrophils are produced from hematopoietic cells. Before these hematopoietic cells mature into fully functional neutrophils and enter the blood stream, they migrate through three cellular compartments, namely, the mitotic compartment, post-mitotic compartment and the storage compartment. Neutropenia is a condition characterized by decrease in the neutrophil count. Neutrophils are essential for fighting infections in the body. Common causes of neutropenia are chemotherapy, autoimmune disorders, drug reactions and genetic reasons. Absolute blood neutrophil count (ANC) in mild neutropenia is between 1.0 and 1.5 109/L. In severe neutropenia, the ANC is less than 0.5 109/L. Neutropenia can either be inherited or acquired. ( ...
