title: A randomized controlled study of the effect of bedside leucocyte depletion on the immunosuppressive effect of whole blood transfusion in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery.
abstract: In a randomized study the effect of whole blood transfusion versus bedside leucocyte-depleted blood transfusion on lymphocyte proliferation, CD4+:CD8+ ratio, and levels of soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R) and interleukin (IL) 6, as well as on the development of postoperative wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess, was assessed in 60 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Transfusion with whole blood induced a significant decrease in lymphocyte proliferation and CD4+ :CD8+ ratio (P < 0.01) as well as a significant increase in sIL-2R and IL-6 levels (P < 0.01). Furthermore, transfusion with whole blood was accompanied by a significant increase in postoperative infectious complications (P < 0.01). In patients transfused with leucocyte-depleted blood only slight and transient changes were observed, which were not significantly different from those observed in non-transfused patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Gastroenterology L, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hokland
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007937:Leukapheresis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014181:Transplantation Immunology
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2