Granulocyte transfusions for neutropenic patients with life-threatening infections: a single centre experience in 47 patients, who received 348 granulocyte transfusions.
BACKGROUND
The role of granulocyte transfusions (GT) in patients with neutropenia-related infections remains controversial.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 47 neutropenic patients, treated with 348 consecutive GTs for life-threatening infections between 1999 and 2004, is presented.


RESULTS
The only grade III-IV toxicity observed in GT recipients was respiratory deterioration (n = 6, 12.8%). The overall infection-related mortality (IRM) approached 38%. Achievement of a neutrophil count of > 700 cells per microl after at least 50% of days of GTs (n = 33, 70%) significantly correlated with reduced IRM (27.3% vs. 64.3%, P < 0.02). GT doses of > 2 x 10(10) neutrophils per bag appeared to increase both neutophil and platelet counts following transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
GTs are safe and should be considered for patients with life-threatening neutropenic infections. However, prospective randomized studies of GTs are the only way to establish the true role of GTs.
Ofran
Y
Y
Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Blood Bank and Apheresis Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
Avivi
I
I
Oliven
A
A
Oren
I
I
Zuckerman
T
T
Bonstein
L
L
Rowe
J M
JM
Dann
E J
EJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes; D006801:Humans; D007937:Leukapheresis / Q000379:methods; D017708:Leukocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009181:Mycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis