Cytokines in WBC-reduced apheresis PCs during storage: a comparison of two WBC-reduction methods.

Background: Several studies have suggested that cytokine accumulation during storage of platelet concentrates (PCs) may mediate nonhemolytic febrile transfusion reactions and that a reduction in WBC numbers prevents the generation of cytokines. Despite efforts to minimize WBC contamination in apheresis PCs, high numbers of WBCs and increased cytokine levels may still occur, depending on the quality of the apheresis device employed.

Study Design And Methods: This study was undertaken to investigate whether PCs collected with WBC-reduction devices (Spectra LRS, COBE;or MCS+ LDP, Haemonetics) were sufficiently depleted of WBCs to limit cytokine accumulation during storage.