Granulocytotoxic antibodies in a patient with propylthiouracil-induced agranulocytosis

Agranulocytosis developed in a patient who was receiving propylthiouracil. Using a microgranulocytotoxicity assay, serum taken from the patient was shown to be strongly granulocytotoxic when tested against the patients granulocytes and those obtained from two of eight normal subjects. Tests for granulocyte agglutinins and for lymphocytotoxicity were negative. Granulocytotoxic activity decreased as the patient's peripheral granulocyte count recovered. Cytotoxicity was shown to be mediated by a complement-dependent IgM antibody.