Transient neutropenia induced by transfusion of blood exposed to nylon
fiber filters
CA Schiffer, J Aisner and PH Wiernik
Section of Medical Oncology, NCI-Baltimore Cancer Research Center, Md
21201.
During the course of granulocyte collection by continuous-flow filtration
leukopheresis, an abrupt fall in neutrophil count was noted (mean decrease
77%, range 64%-95%). Neutropenia occurred within 5 min of return of blood
exposed to the nylon fiber filters and lasted less than 30 min. Saline
exposed to the fibers, withdrawal and reinfusion of whole blood, and
heparin did not cause neutropenia. Heparinized blood passed by gravity
through isolated filters and reinfused immediately also induced neutropenia
(mean decrease 64% +/- 8%, range 11%-19%). Blood anticoagulated with ACD
(decrease 19.5% +/- 6%, range 6%-56%), heparinized plasma (N = 10, decrease
15% +/- 3%, range 3%-29%) and platelet-rich plasma exposed to the filters
failed to produce neutropenia. 91% +/- 2% of the neutrophils adhered to the
fibers using heparinized blood as compared to 21% +/- 5% using ACD (p less
than 0.001). All donors were asymptomatic during the infusions. These
results suggest that during neutrophil adherence a substance is released
which produces profound, transient neutropenia perhaps by inducing
margination of cells.
Volume 45,
Issue 1,
pp. 141-146,
01/01/1975
Copyright © 1975 by The American Society of Hematology
