Characteristics of lymphocytes and granulocytes removed from whole blood by buffy coat depletion. Comparison of an automated bottom-and-Top processing system and the manual technique.
BACKGROUND
Characteristics of lymphocyte and granulocyte removal were studied during the processing of fresh human blood by buffy coat (BC) depletion. The manual technique of BC depletion and that performed in a bottom-and-top (BAT) semiautomated system were compared. Blood cells were counted in the resulting components.


RESULTS
Removal efficiency in lymphocytes and granulocytes correlated to the loss of erythrocytes due to removal of the BC. Sigmoidal curves showed good fit to experimental data. Variables of the equations differed substantially concerning removal of lymphocytes and granulocytes. The bottom-and-top bag in the semiautomated system resulted in better efficiency in leukocyte removal compared to the conventional manual technique.98% of lymphocytes may be removed from whole blood in the semiautomated BAT system. Removal efficiency of granulocytes is inferior compared to that of lymphocytes. Performance characteristics of the semiautomated BAT technique appeared superior when compared to the conventional manual technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial variability was observed in granulocyte removal efficiency in both systems. The present study may contribute to the production of erythrocyte preparations with less contaminating leukocytes and to standardize semiautomated blood processing.
Rácz
Z
Z
National Blood Transfusion Service, Budapest, Hungary. racz@ovsz.hu
D001331:Automation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*