Prednisolone‐Induced Granulocytosis

A neutrophil granulocytosis with peak response at 5 hours develops after the administration of 40 mg. prednisolone tablets. In normal people the increment is greater than 2000 granulocytes per cu.mm. The response declines with advancing age, but is unrelated to sex, height, weight, surface area and initial neutrophil count. The largest responses are seen in young splenectomized people. Of 21 subjects with abnormal marrows only two gave normal responses. The results of this preliminary study suggest that the granulocyte increment following a single oral dose of prednisolone may prove to be a useful index of marrow function. Further studies, particularly serial observations in selected patients, are necessary to establish its validity and to define the role of age and the spleen.