title: In vitro study of immunologic changes in long-term cytapheresis donors.
abstract: Several in vitro measurements of immune function were examined retrospectively in a population of active long-term cytapheresis donors (group I; n = 50) and the results were compared to age- and sex-matched controls (group II; n = 50) who had donated only whole blood. In group I, significantly different mean absolute lymphocyte counts (P = .0025), total T-cells (P = .0026) and T-helper cells (P less than .0001), and helper-to-suppressor ratios (P = .0279) were present. No differences were noted between the two groups for peripheral blood mean B-cell count, T-suppressor numbers, lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens or alloantigen, and serum immunoglobulin level. The reduced mean absolute lymphocyte count in group I was due to the reduction in T-helper cell numbers and accounted for the imbalance in the helper-to-suppressor ratio. These disturbances are currently unexplained and, while no clinical consequences have so far become evident, there is a need to continuously monitor the immunologic status of cytapheresis donors. It is also important to determine whether reversal of the defects occurs and, if so, over what time interval.
authors.affiliation: Natal Blood Transfusion Service, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Prior
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Coghlan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000209:etiology; D001782:Blood Donors; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016238:Cytapheresis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer