The Acquisition of Granulocytes by Leukapheresis: A Comparison of Continuous Flow Centrifugation and Filtration Leukapheresis in Normal and Corticosteroid‐Stimulated Donors

Abstract

Leukapheresis by continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) or filtration (FL) was compared in untreated and corticosteroid-treated [human] donors. The administration of prednisone 60 mg orally 10-12 h before leukapheresis significantly increased both the donor''s prepheresis WBC [white blood cell] counts and the total granulocyte yields by CFC or FL. Dexamethasone 6 mg i.v. at the start of FL did not increase granulocyte yields significantly. In untreated donors FL yielded 0.25 .times. 1010 granulocytes/l donor blood processed as compared with 0.05 .times. 1010/l in CFC donors. Corticosteroid premedication has a greater relative effect in increasing yields by CFC than by FL. Donor reaction rates were between 4 and 6% for both procedures.