title: Granulocyte transfusions for neutropenic patients with life-threatening infections: a single centre experience in 47 patients, who received 348 granulocyte transfusions.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Blood Bank and Apheresis Unit, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Ofran
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Avivi
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Oliven
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Oren
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Zuckerman
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bonstein
authors: J M
authors: JM
authors: Rowe
authors: E J
authors: EJ
authors: Dann
mesh_terms: 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