Preparation of Granulocyte‐Poor Red Blood Cells by Microaggregate Filtration

Abstract

A simple, effective method for removing granulocytes from stored blood is described. Microaggregate filtration removes approximately 95% of the granulocytes from blood which has been stored for 2 weeks, centrifuged and filtered. The mean number of remaining leukocytes is 8 +/- 3.7 x 10(8)/unit. The residual white cell population, which is composed almost entirely of lymphocytes, is substantially less than the average number of cells previously associated with febrile reactions. 45 patients were selected for the study. All had significant febrile transfusion reaction histories, and averaged one reaction for every 3.6 U of conventional red cell product transfused. Administration of 212 units of microaggregate filtered granulocyte poor red cells caused a 95% reduction in the incidence of fibrile reactions. The technique is inexpensive, easily incorporated into the routine of the clinical blood bank, and does not require "open-system' processing. These considerations make microaggregate filtration a logical first choice method for the preparation of granulocyte-poor red blood cells.

Leukodepletion of autologous whole blood has no impact on perioperative infection rate and length of hospital stay

“…30,31 When AWB units are transfused after usually more than 3 weeks of storage, however, most granulocytes have lost their cell integrity and most BRMs can be found extracellularly. Microfiltration does not significantly reduce the BRM content in the supernatant of AWB or the release of BRMs from transfused WBCs.…”

Filters in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

“…The incidence of NHFTRs varies from 0.5% 17 to 6.6% 18 but may be as high as 45% in chronically infused patients, such as those suffering from thalassaemia 18 . It is the commonest reaction, accounting for 70% of all transfusion-related problems 19 . Transfusion of expensive leucocyte-reduced red cell concentrates is one method of avoiding NHFTRs.…”

Comparison of Flow Cytometric Methods for the Enumeration of Residual Leucocytes in Leucoreduced Blood Products: A Multicenter Study

“…Depleting leucocytes below a specific level helps to prevent or reduce short and long term adverse effects in transfusion, such as febrile reaction and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloimmunization 4, 5, 6, 7. Removal of >99.9% of leucocytes (or 3‐log leucoreduction) in the red cell units and platelets can also significantly minimize potential transmission of viruses such as cytomegalovirus, and reduce transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease 8, 9, 10, 11.…”

“…IN the past decades, performing leucoreduction for blood transfusion products has become a standardized practice in the US and Europe to improve clinical outcome, and also has been gradually adopted by nations in emerging markets worldwide (1)(2)(3). Depleting leucocytes below a specific level helps to prevent or reduce short and long term adverse effects in transfusion, such as febrile reaction and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloimmunization (4)(5)(6)(7). Removal of >99.9% of leucocytes (or 3-log leucoreduction) in the red cell units and platelets can also significantly minimize potential transmission of viruses such as cytomegalovirus, and reduce transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (8)(9)(10)(11).…”