Simple and rapid preparation of granulocytes for the treatment of neonatal septicemia.
Recent reports have documented benefit from the infusion of granulocytes into septic neonatal patients. However, while the requirement of 1 X 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 X 10(9) WBC, of which 1.25 X 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 X 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.
D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy*