The use of recombinant human G-CSF in the treatment of propylthiouracil-induced agranulocytosis

A 43-year-old female patient with Basedow-Graves' disease developed agranul ocytosis in the eighth month of propylthiouracil therapy. After discontinui ng the drug, a broad spectrum antibiotic regimen plus recombinant human gra nulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a human haematopoietic growth f actor, were started. Her granulocyte count returned to normal with the seco nd dose of G-CSF, and ulcerating pharyngitis improved rapidly. We think tha t in patients with propylthiouracil-induced agranulocytosis, G-CSF will red uce the risk and severity of infection, and should be accepted as a part of the standard therapy.