Leucodepletion and blood products

• Published in: Medical journal. Armed Forces India 2006-04, Vol.62 (2), p.174-177
• Main Authors: Kumar, Harsh, Gupta, PK, Mishra, DK, Sarkar, RS, Jaiprakash, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alloimmunisation; Contemporary Issue; leucodepletion; Leucoreduction
• ISSN: 0377-1237
• DOI: 10.1016/S0377-1237(06)80064-X

Background: Leucoreduction of blood products is increasingly being employed to produce blood products with residual WBCs < 5 × 10 6 per unit (99.9 percent or a log 3 leucoreduction). Clinical data suggests that non-haemolytic febrile transfusion reactions can be prevented by leucodepletion. The procedure also prevents alloimmunisation to HLA antigens in patients who will repeatedly require transfusion of blood/blood products. Method: Of the methods available to reduce the number of WBC in blood products washing of red cells, freezing and deglycerolisation are effective and yield a product with only a 24 hour shelf life. Other methods such as leucodepletion filters are relatively inexpensive, simple and the final product has a normal shelf life. Modern generation of leucoreduction filters and apheresis machines can provide greater than 4 log reduction of WBC. Results: After the introduction of leucodepletion of blood for Thalassemics at our center in 2003, the incidence of non haemolytic febrile transfusion reactions (NHFTR) fell from 4% in 2002 to 1% in 2003. Conclusion: In patients undergoing long-term blood transfusion therapy e.g. Thalassemics, alloimmunisation against the HLA antigens on donor white cells is prevented by leucodepletion and prevents NHFTRs.