Summary. The predictable neutropenia that follows allogeneic stem cell transplantation (ASCT) may be associated with recurrence of previous life-threatening infection. We describe nine patients with either previous invasive aspergillosis (IA) or considered to be at high risk of developing IA who underwent ASCT with prophylactic granulocyte transfusions. The study group, when compared with a control group, had a significant reduction in the incidence and duration of fevers (P < 0AE05) and maximum C-reactive protein (P < 0AE05). There were significantly fewer days of neutropenia (P < 0AE05). There was also radiological improvement of pulmonary infiltrates in four out of seven assessable patients. No serious toxicity was encountered in donors or recipients. We conclude that prophylactic granulocyte donations can be given safely, and that they significantly reduce the number of days of neutropenia. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether granulocyte donations can prevent the recurrence of IA in patients at risk of fungal infection.

Matched sibling allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCT) in first complete remission (CR1) result in superior survival compared to standard chemotherapy in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, application is limited by donor availability. The role of unrelated donor (URD) transplantation in ALL in CR1 is not clearly delineated. We report a retrospective series of URD transplants in 55 adults with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in CR1 reported to the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry from 1993 to 2005. Median follow-up of survivors was 55.2 months (range 17–160). Median age was 25.5 years (range 15.7–50). Eighty nine percent of patients had at least one adverse prognostic feature. Sixty six percent of transplants were matched at 10 of 10 loci and 34% were mis-matched. T cell depletion (TCD) was carried out by in-vivo Campath administration in 96% of recipients with additional ex-vivo TCD in 21% of these patients. The estimated actuarial Overall survival (OS), Disease free survival (DFS) and non relapse mortality (NRM) were 59%, 57% and 19% at 5 years respectively. The overall incidence of Grade II–IV and III–IV GVHD was 25% and 7% respectively. The actuarial estimate of extensive chronic GVHD was 22 % at 5 years. HLA mismatching at 2 alleles or antigens was associated with poorer survival (RR=3.22, (1.08–9.64). T depleted URD HSCT can result in good OS and low TRM for adults with high risk ALL in CR1 and merits prospective comparison with other methods of GVHD prophylaxis.