01848nas a2200253   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653000900055653001200064653001700076653001100093653000900104653001600113653003900129653001700168100001600185700001200201700001400213245008700227300001100314490000800325520124700333022001401580       1994                            d  c1994 Nov10aAged10aDapsone10aEye diseases10aHumans10aMale10aNeutropenia10aPemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane10aTime Factors1 aRaizman M B1 aFay A M1 aWeiss J S00aDapsone-induced neutropenia in patients treated for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.  a1805-70 v1013 a<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Dapsone is used widely in treating ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, leprosy, and dermatologic disorders. Hemolysis is a well-known complication of dapsone therapy. Rarely, neutropenia or agranulocytosis may occur, resulting in up to a 50% mortality rate. To the authors' knowledge, agranulocytosis has not been reported in patients treated with dapsone for ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>The authors report two cases of dapsone-induced neutropenia with bone marrow suppression in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Neutropenia was detected on routine laboratory examination 8 and 10 weeks after initiating dapsone therapy. Bone marrow biopsy showed acellular or hypocellular marrow. Leukocyte count returned to baseline value after cessation of dapsone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>Patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid who were treated with dapsone are at increased risk for agranulocytosis. Dapsone-induced neutropenia may not be a dose-dependent phenomenon. The authors indicate that there is a need for routine monitoring of leukocyte counts, especially 8 to 10 weeks after initiating therapy. Signs or symptoms of infection require immediate investigation.</p>  a0161-6420