Publication Cover
Immunological Investigations
A Journal of Molecular and Cellular Immunology
Volume 24, 1995 - Issue 1-2
33
Views
34
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Article

Use of Leukodepletion Filters for the Removal of Bacteria

Pages 95-115 | Published online: 07 Jul 2009
 

Abstract

Recipient exposure to allogeneic donor leukocytes can mediate a number of immunologic complications of transfusion or can transmit leukotropic viruses carried by the donor. Leukocyte depletion of cellular blood components has been shown to reduce the incidence of such complications. In recent years, prestorage leukocyte depletion by filtration has also been suggested as a means of decreasing the incidence of bacterial overgrowth in cellular blood components. This review analyzes published studies on the use of leukodepletion filters for removal of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Yersinia enterocolitica from blood. Although ineffective for removal of S. epidermidis from Platelet Concentrates, inoculation studies demonstrate removal of low levels of Y. enterocolitica from Red Cell Concentrates. Based on these studies, four possible mechanism(s) for removal of bacteria by leukodepletion filters are analyzed: phagocytosis by leukocytes during a prefiltration holding period; complement-mediated bacterial killing enhanced by filtration; adherence of bacteria to leukocyte surfaces retained within the filter; and direct removal of bacteria by the filter media. Just as multiple mechanisms appear to account for the efficiency with which these filters deplete blood of leukocytes, it is likely that more than one mechanism accounts for the experimental observation that leukocyte depletion filters can reduce overgrowth of Y. enterocolitica in stored Red Cell Concentrates.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.