Genetic factors and risk of agranulocytosis from metamizol.

The role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of agranulocytosis was investigated in agranulocytosis patients by phenotyping for N-acetyltransferase and glucose-6-phosphate polymorphism; by typing for gene products of the major histocompatability complex, ABO- and RH-blood groups, and haemoglobins; and by performing cytogenetic analysis of chromosome aberrations. Nine persons were identified as agranulocytosis cases in the period from 1982 to 1987 among the population of Sofia. They were contacted again 10 years after recovery from the disease.