A study of disturbances in granulocytopoiesis in humans using a diffusion chamber system

Data are presented demonstrating that bone marrow granulocytic cells from normal persons continuously proliferate and mature during 5 d of cultivation in a diffusion chamber system (DC). Bone marrow granulocytopoiesis in 3 patients with different granulocytopoietic disorders was investigated using DC. In patient 1, with drug-induced agranulocytosis, bone marrow aspirated on the "day of recovery" revealed intensive proliferation in DC resulting in a highly significant increase of mature granulocytes. Patient 2 suffered from chronic neutropenia of unknown aetiology. After 5 d cultivation of bone marrow in DC an increase of metamyelocytes was observed, indicating delayed maturation of granulocytic cells. Patient 3 had neutropenia probably due to the splenic sequestration. Data obtained with DC suggest stimulated granulocytopoiesis in this patient. The results obtained using DC reflect the particular phase of the disease in which bone marrow was aspirated. It may be concluded that this method could provide additional data in quantitative and functional disorders of granulocytes.