title: Blood transfusion as a cause of leucocytosis in critically ill patients.
abstract: The diagnosis of infection in the intensive care unit is confounded by the presence of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis. Unless such causes are recognised, time and effort will be spent on unnecessary investigations and treatments. In a prospective study we have shown that the transfusion of blood frequently (45/50 patients) causes an acute leucocytosis in such patients. This effect was not seen in 8 patients who received plasma. Blood transfusion should be added to the list of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis in the critically ill.
authors.affiliation: Program of Critical Care Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, University of British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Naiman
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ronco
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Wiggs
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tweeddale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065227:Transfusion Reaction