High granulocyte yield with a simple method of filtration leukapheresis

Abstract

A simple continuous filtration leukapheresis has been devised whereby two Leuko-Pak filters can be charged and eluted within 5 h with approximately 121 of blood in a closed system of tubes. Blood flows by means of gravity without the use of pumps. Without premedication with prednisolone the average yield from 10 donors was 3.66 x 10(10) granulocytes per leukapheresis and after premedication with 150 mg prednisolone orally it was 6.44 x 10(10) granulocytes per leukapheresis. The in vitro function of filter granulocytes was not reduced even after premedication with prednisolone. In comparison with leukapheresis by blood cell separators this modified method of filtration leukapheresis offers the following advantages: 1) the granulocyte yield per litre of whole blood processes is higher, 2) technical assistants in a blood-bank can carry out the method on several donors simultaneously, 3) the method is more economical than leukapheresis by blood cell separators.

Lymphocytotoxic Antibodies in Patients Receiving Granulocyte Transfusions1

“…Granulocyte transfusions were administered when the granulocyte count was lower than 500/pl peripheral blood combined with a fever of more than 39 O C not responding to antibiotic treatment within the first 48 h. In 2 patients with defects in granulocyte function, granulocyte transfusions were given when the patients had septicaemia not responding to antibiotic therapy despite a normal or even elevated granulocyte count [25]. Granulocytes were collected from normal donors by continuous-flow centrifugation or by filtration leukapheresis as described earlier [23,24]. The patients received an average of 12 (3-28) granulocyte transfusions each with 4.6 x 1010 (1.7-7.6) granulocytes.…”

Granulocyte transfusions in children

“…The functional capacity of the collected granulocytes was studied in 10 cases by in vitro tests. The NBT-test, phagocytosis, intracellular killing of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus and chemotaxis were found to be normal [20].…”

“…The transfusion rate of granulocytes collected by centrifugation was 2x 10 t~ granulocytes per hour. Filter obtained granulocytes were transfused over a longer period of time (about 0.5x 10 ~~ granulocytes per hour) in order to avoid transfusion reactions inherent in the preparation method [20]. The transfusion rate was slowed down if chills and/or temperature rise occurred.…”

“…Granulocytes were collected by means of continuous-flow centrifugation or filtration leukapheresis after pretreatment of donors with prednisolone [19,20]. Differential counts of the leukocyte concentrates obtained by centrifugation showed an average of 0.7 (0-3)% myelocytes and metamyelocytes, 87 (76-94)% band forms and granulocytes, 10 (4-19)% lymphocytes and 2 (0-8)% monocytes.…”

Lymphocytotoxic Antibodies in Patients Receiving Granulocyte Transfusions

“…Granulo cytes were collected from normal donors by con tinuous-flow centrifugation or by filtration leukapheresis as described earlier [23,24], The patients received an average of 12 granulocyte trans fusions each with 4.6 x IO10 (1.7-7.6) granulocytes.…”