Granulocyte transfusion therapy in chronic granulomatous disease

Abstract

A 16 yr old boy with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and multiple Staphylococcus aureus hepatic abscesses failed to respond to intense antimicrobial therapy and surgical drainage procedures. He was started on a 13 day course of daily granulocyte transfusions obtained by intermittent-flow leukapheresis utilizing hydroxyethyl starch. Each transfusion contained an average of 9 .times. 109 granulocytes. He defervesed on the 7th transfusion day; the sedimentation rate returned to normal on the 13th transfusion day. Radionuclide scan showed decrease in size of the liver abscesses. No other new therapeutic modalities were attempted during the period of granulocyte transfusion. Although the use of granulocyte tranfusion has been suggested to treat infections in CGD, this is evidently the first successful use of granulocyte transfusion therapy in S. aureus abscess disease in CGD. Granulocyte transfusions may be helpful in S. aureus abscess disease in CGD. Granulocyte transfusions may be helpful in treating infections refractory to standard medical-surgical management in patients with CGD and other disorders of neutrophil function.