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Simple and rapid preparation of granulocytes for the treatment of neonatal septicemia
Author(s) -
Rock G.,
Zurakowski S.,
Baxter A.,
Adams G.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1984.24685066813.x
Subject(s) - simple (philosophy) , medicine , intensive care medicine , immunology , epistemology , philosophy
Recent reports have documented benefit from the infusion of granulocytes into septic neonatal patients. However, while the requirement of 1 × 10(9) per kg of granulocytes is easily met by apheresis procedures, treatment of neonatal septicemia requires immediate response 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, this rapid response is beyond the capability of most apheresis units. Therefore, we developed a method for obtaining granulocytes from whole blood collected by routine blood donation. Hydroxyethyl starch (60 ml of a 6% solution) is introduced into a unit of whole blood within 24 hours of collection. Following sedimentation and subsequent centrifugation, a buffy coat is obtained which contains more than 75 percent of the granulocytes; an average of 1.62 × 10(9) WBC, of which 1.25 × 10(9) were granulocytes that were recovered in an average 17‐ml final volume with a hematocrit of 4 percent. Granulocyte morphology and function as measured by chemiluminescence indicated good maintenance of function. Total processing time was short, requiring less than 2 hours, and the procedure was performed easily in a routine blood bank. The recovery of 1.25 × 10(9) granulocytes from a single, routine blood donation without steroid treatment of the donor makes this product ideal for use in the treatment of neonatal septicemia.