FATAL AGRANULOCYTOSIS RESULTING FROM THIOURACIL

Abstract

Leukopenia and granulocytopenia have been reported as potential dangers in the use of thouracil when given to thyrotoxic human beings. Similar observations have been made on adult rats which were fed thiourea.¹Only 1 of the 72 patients in the group reported by Williams and Clute²developed agranulocytosis following the use of thiouracil, but this was not fatal. Astwood³also discussed 1 nonfatal case in a man whose toxic diffuse goiter similarly was treated with thiouracil. The following, as far as can be determined, is the first death that can be attributed to thiouracil as an agranulocytogenic agent: <h3>REPORT OF CASE</h3><h3>History.—</h3> M. M., a white woman aged 62, entered the Cedars of Lebanon Clinic Hospital on March 3, 1944 because of nausea, vomiting and drowsiness of six hours' duration. She had been known to have diabetes for six years and had been negligent both in