title: The effect of varying type and volume of sedimenting agents on leukocyte harvesting and labelling in sickle cell patients.
abstract: Leukocyte labelling in patients with sickle cell anaemia has been reported as difficult if not impossible due to the slow erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in these patients. This study investigated standard sedimentation methods in patients with sickle cell disease (n = 16) and compared the results obtained with those following changes in the amount and type of sedimenting agent used. Labelling with either 111In-oxine or 99Tcm-exametazime was attempted in only five patients. Replacement of the commonly used 6% Hetastarch (Hespan) with Dextran or Haemaccel did not improve leukocyte harvesting, even when the proportions used of these agents were increased. In most cases where standard procedures for leukocyte collection did not lead to harvesting of viable samples, it was possible to obtain adequate leukocyte labelling in the majority of sickle cell patients using a minor modification of standard techniques. In this group of patients a ratio of 8 ml of Hespan to 16 ml of blood should be used for cell separation. If this fails then donor cells, anti-granulocyte antibody labelling or HIG should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Guys and St Thomas's Hospital Trust, St Thomas's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Nunan
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: O'Doherty
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D003911:Dextrans; D006801:Humans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007553:Isotope Labeling / Q000379:methods; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; D015125:Oxyquinoline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011097:Polygeline; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D006895:Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010091:Oximes; C032950:indium oxine; D019690:Technetium Tc 99m Exametazime; D015125:Oxyquinoline; D011097:Polygeline