title: [Granulocyte transfusions for severe infections prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].
abstract: The efficacy and safety of granulocyte transfusions were evaluated in two acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients for the control of severe infections (cervical cellulitis, sepsis) prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. One patient received 6 transfusions and the other 2 transfusions. The donors were given subcutaneous granulocyte-colony stimulating factor plus oral dexamethasone/betamethasone 12 hours before the scheduled collection. Granulocytes were obtained by standard leukapheresis procedures utilizing hydroxyethyl starch with processing of 7 liters of blood. The yield was 3.2-10.7 x 10(10) (0.7-2.1 x 10(9)/kg of recipient) granulocytes. Post-transfusion increases of peripheral blood neutrophil counts in the following morning were 300 to approximately 6,900/ml. Infections resolved and successful engraftment was obtained in both patients after the transplants. No severe adverse reactions were observed. These findings suggest that granulocyte transfusions are useful for control of severe infections prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Matsushita Memorial Hospital.
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshihara
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ishida
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Souichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Kanako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Yasutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawase
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoi
authors.forename: Shinsaku
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imashuku
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome