Filtration of platelet concentrates.
The transfusion of leukocyte-containing blood products causes a number of side reactions, which among others induces alterations of the immune system of the recipient leading to alloimmunization or immunosuppression. Antibodies against antigenic determinants of the major histocompatibility complex-proteins of class I are the major cause of alloimmunization. Though platelets are easy targets for HLA antibodies, they cannot induce the antibody production themselves. This requires leukocytes, carrying the MHC-proteins of the class II. Standard platelet concentrates for the clinical routine have more than 10(6) leukocytes. Leukocyte filters with a special surface modification reduce the number of leukocytes in platelet concentrates underneath this CILL-value (critical immunogenic load of leukocytes), thus reducing the antigenic, immunogenic effects of leukocyte contamination considerably.
Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University of Münster, FRG.
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Müller
D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001787:Blood Group Incompatibility / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D010976:Platelet Count; D010983:Plateletpheresis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012307:Risk Factors