Six filters for the removal of white cells from red cell concentrates, evaluated at 4 degrees C and/or at room temperature.
BACKGROUND
Six filters were tested for their ability to remove white cells from buffy coat-depleted red cell concentrates at various temperatures.


METHODS
Cellselect FR, BPF4, and Sepacell filters were tested at both room temperature (RT) and 4 degrees C. The Leucoflex filter was tested only at 4 degrees C, while the Cellselect Optima Plus and Imugard filters were tested only at RT. Donor-dependent differences were excluded by pooling and subsequently dividing 9 red cell concentrates; 12 sets of experiments were performed.


RESULTS
With all filters, red cell concentrates containing <5 x 10(6) white cells per unit were obtained. The lowest numbers of residual white cells were achieved with the Leucoflex (at 4 degrees C, 0.15 +/- 0.11 x 10(6), the Sepacell (at 4 degrees C, 0.23 +/- 0.14 x 10(6), the Imugard (at RT, 0.24 +/- 0.14 x 10(6), and the BPF4 (at 4 degrees C, 0.25 +/- 0.24 x 10(6); differences not significant). With the Cellselect FR, filtration at 4 degrees C resulted in 0.86 +/- 0.37 x 10(6) white cells per unit, a level not significantly different from that obtained with the BPF4 and Sepacell filters at RT (1.16 +/- 0.43 x 10(6) and 0.80 +/- 0.36 x 10(6) white cells, respectively). Filtration at RT with the Cellselect FR and Cellselect Optima Plus resulted in red cell concentrates with 1.79 +/- 0.69 x 10(6) and 2.29 +/- 0.69 x 10(6) white cells, respectively (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
All filters conformed to the current standards for white cell reduction; the process was less efficient at RT than at 4 degrees C. For routine application, the composition of the red cell concentrate, the temperature, and logistic preferences should be taken into account in the final choice of filter; before implementation, the chosen filter must be validated under routine conditions.
van der Meer
P F
PF
Red Cross Blood Bank Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Pietersz
R N
RN
Nelis
J T
JT
Hinloopen
B
B
Dekker
W J
WJ
Reesink
H W
HW
D001772:Blood Cell Count; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D006454:Hemoglobins