EFFECTIVE PREVENTION AGAINST THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLATELET ALLO-ANTIBODIES USING FILTERED BLOOD PRODUCTS

To minimize various post-transfusion complications caused by white blood cell components, Sepacell R-500 A filters (Asahi Medical) for red blood cell products and PL 50/100 filters (Pall) for platelet products to remove white blood cells were clinically used in a total of 46 patients with leukemia and its allied disorders, and the results were compared with those of 19 patients with whom the filters were not used. Platelet allo-antibodies, assayed by mixed passive haemagglutination (MPHA) method, developed in 10 patients out of 19 (52.6%) without use of the filters and in 8 patients out of 22 (36.4%) with whom the filters were partially used. However, development of such antibodies was significantly lower when pre-filtered blood products were used throughout ; only two patients out of 24 (8.3%). Another common complication, a non-hemolytic febrile reaction, was also considerably reduced by using these filters. Therefore, we recommend that these filters should be used from the beginning of transfusion therapy, and that their use should never be interrupted throughout the treatment