No abstract

Our results lend support to the cytokine and neurotrophic hypotheses of depression by demonstrating significantly lower levels of BDNF in all subtypes of depression. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon is uncertain and assumed to be multifactorial. Development of novel antidepressant treatments will require a multidisciplinary approach.

Antithyroid drugs are widely used to treat hyperthyroidism, especially Graves' disease, but they tend to cause agranulocytosis, which increases the mortality rate. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor decreases the duration of recovery from agranulocytosis. We retrospectively studied cases of antithyroid drug-induced agranulocytosis over the past 10 years in a northern Taiwan medical center. A clinical evaluation was conducted, including a review of complete blood cell counts and differential counts. Four cases were included in this analysis. Agranulocytosis persisted in 2 cases despite a change in therapy from propylthiouracil to methimazole. Fever, sore throat, and diarrhea were common symptoms of agranulocytosis. Initial white blood cell counts ranged from 450 to 1,710/microL. Only 1 case had a positive result from a throat swab culture (Staphylococcus aureus). Three of 4 cases received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy, and the recovery time ranged from 3 to 13 days. All of the patients recovered from agranulocytosis. We concluded that: (1) conducting a routine complete blood cell count is beneficial in alerting caregivers to the possibility of agranulocytosis; (2) educating patients about the common symptoms of agranulocytosis may contribute to an early diagnosis; (3) providing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy to patients results in good prognosis; and (4) monitoring for cross-reactions between drugs should be performed to prevent further episodes of agranulocytosis.

No abstract