Persistence of Neutrophil Hypersegmentation During Recovery from Megaloblastic Granulopoiesis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The rate of disappearance of neutrophil hypersegmentation was studied in 23 patients with megaloblastic anemia during therapy with vitamin B12 and folic acid. In 14 patients with uncomplicated megaloblastic anemia, the neutrophil lobe average began to fall towards normal 11.4 .+-. 0.3 (SE of the mean) days after treatment was begun and became normal by 13.9 .+-. 0.6 days. In 9 patients with associated inflammatory disorders, the lobe average returned to normal more rapidly. In 6 initially neutropenic patients, a 5-fold increase in total granulocyte count occurred by the 8th day and a 7-fold increment in the total number of circulating hype-segmented neutrophils. Granulocyte folate concentrations in 5 folate-deficient patients rose to normal levels within 4-7 days of starting therapy. Hypersegmentation thus persists for many days after correction of neutropenia and restoration of normal granulocyte folate levels have occurred. Cobalamin and folate are needed at 2 different steps in granulopoiesis.