Passenger leukocytes present in cellular blood components are a chief cause of adverse transfusion reactions. Leukocyte reduction filtration removes these white cells before transfusion, improving safety for at-risk patients. This article reviews the technology and its clinical benefits.
Why Reduce Leukocytes?
Passenger leukocytes are the principal cause of alloimmunization to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and leukocyte-specific antigens in transfusion recipients. Alloimmunization can result in febrile transfusion reactions, platelet refractoriness and acute lung injury. Leukocytes are also the vector for transfusion-associated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Modern leukocyte-reduction technology can reduce the number of leukocytes to fewer than 107 per unit.
Filtration Technology
Leukocyte reduction filters use a polyester fiber medium that captures white cells while allowing red cells or platelets to pass. In platelet concentrates, a polyester filter dramatically adsorbs C3a and C4a anaphylatoxins generated during storage, reducing potential side effects of platelet transfusion.
Prestorage In-Line Filtration
Prestorage leukocyte depletion — integrating an in-line filter into the blood bag system and filtering whole blood soon after collection — is the preferred approach. It produces white-cell-depleted red cells for storage and minimizes the accumulation of leukocyte-derived cytokines.
Clinical Applications
- Prevention of febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions.
- Reduction of HLA alloimmunization and platelet refractoriness.
- Prevention of transfusion-transmitted CMV.
- Use in cardiac surgery, oncology and other high-risk patient groups.
Product Range
Shuangwei manufactures bedside and laboratory leukocyte reduction filters, quadruple blood bags with in-line whole blood filters, and platelet pooling & filtration systems. Contact us for clinical specifications.