Neutrophil kinetics in Felty's syndrome

In 19 patients with Felty's syndrome, marrow production of neutrophils and neutrophil distribution were studied. Despite accelerated marrow release and disappearance of mature blood neutrophils, there was little or no increase in the marrow mitotic pool or in vitro progenitor cells. Only two patients had an increase in marrow neutrophils and precursors. Antineutrophil antibody was detected in seven of nine patients studied. Neither abnormal margination of blood neutrophils nor impaired marrow release of cells was detected. Skin exudate cellularity tended to correspond to prior history of infections, asymptomatic patients having more cellular exudates. Sustained neutrophil increments were observed in six of 10 patients following splenectomy, but in no patient did neutrophil kinetics return completely to normal. Three of four patients who failed to respond to splenectomy with sustained increments in blood neutrophils had a reduced mass of marrow neutrophils and neutrophil precursors when studied prior to splenectomy. No diminution in neutropenia was observed in any of five patients treated with lithium carbonate. This study indicates that multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of neutropenia in Felty's syndrome. In particular, neutropenia was associated with inadequate marrow granulocytopoiesis. The severity of the impairment, as determined by the mass of marrow neutrophils and precursor cells, may be useful in predicting response to splenectomy.