Benzene associated aplastic anemia presenting 10 years after exposure case report / Charmaine D. Acosta.

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.

ABSTRACT: Aplastic anemia is a syndrome characterized by reticulocytopenia, neutropenia, monocytopenia, and thrombocytopenia and replacement of the marrow with fat and a near absence of hematopoietic precursor cells. Most cases occur without an evident precipitating cause and result from expression of autoreactive T lymphocytes that suppress or destroy primitive hematopoietic cells while some cases are due to toxic effect of chemicals or drugs. Here I present a case of aplastic anemia that occured initially a decade after inciting agent has been removed. The case is E.I., 54-year old, male, Filipino who presented with easy fatigability that started 3 months prior to admission. Complete blood count revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Peripheral blood smear showed paucity of blood cells with the bone marrow aspirate revealing hypocellularity. Patient underrwent blood transfusion of seven units of packed red blood cells. He was then discharged with modest improvement in the patient`s complete blood count.

Research - Department of Medicine