S. Corbacioglu et al., Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels are not increased in patients with autoimmune neutropenia of infancy, J PEDIAT, 137(1), 2000, pp. 96-99
Objective: To assess the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-C
SF in autoimmune neutropenia (AIN).
Design: Serum G-CSF levels were measured in 57 children with AlN. Two diffe
rent G-CSF-dependent assays were used: a solid-phase "sandwich" enzyme-link
ed immunosorbent assay and a proliferation assay. Sera from healthy persons
and from patients with severe congenital neutropenia were used for negativ
e and positive controls.
Results: The median G-CSF level in healthy persons (n = 13) was low, 45.6 p
g/mL (range <39 to 141 pg/mL). The median G-CSF level;n patients with AIN (
n = 57) was very similar, 45.5 pg/mL, (range <39 to 2500 pg/mL). Forty-five
(79%) of 57 patients with AIN had levels within the range of the control g
roup. Seven (12%) had marginally increased G-CSF levels (141 to 400 pg/mL),
and only 5 (9%) had levels higher than 400 pg/mL. The G-CSF levels measure
d by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay correlated well with levels measured
by the proliferation assay, thus demonstrating that antibodies present in
patient sera did not affect the biologic activity of C-CSF.
Conclusion: G-CSF production in AIN is not;increased despite the low neutro
phil count, similar to thrombopoietin in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.