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Aplastic anemia occurs when the body's
immune system becomes
confused and begins to attack cells that
perform critical functions.
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The cells affected in this condition are
the
red blood cells, white blood cells, and
platelets.
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Red blood cells are needed because they
carry
life-giving oxygen to the tissues of the
body.
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Platelets are important because they work
to promote blood clotting.
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Lymphocytes are white blood cells that act
as
the first line of defense against tumors
and viruses.
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Neutrophils are another type that works to
prevent infection and disease.
The low counts of red blood cells, white
blood cells
and platelets are indicators that aplastic
anemia has set in.
This important collection of cells
originates inside human bone marrow.
They start life as stem cells that mature
within the
bones before passing out into the blood
stream.
When suffering from an autoimmune
disorder,
such as aplastic anemia, lymphocytes
become
confused and attack the stem cells being
created in the bone marrow.
A promising treatment for this condition
requires high doses of cyclophosphamide,
or HiCy,
an agent that eradicates the immune
system,
causing it to reboot like a computer.
Once rebooted, the lymphocytes no longer
attack the stem cells.
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