Leukocyte reduction and its contribution to transfusion safety.

Abstract

Leukocyte reduction is the removal of leukocytes from labile blood products. When performed under rigorous conditions, it eliminates more than 99.99% of the starting leukocytes. This leukocyte reduction essentially avoids febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions and HLA alloimmunization, as well as the transmission of viruses and bacteria that develop intracellularly within leukocytes. It thus contributes to improving the quality and safety of labile blood products. Widespread in the West for several years for all labile blood products, leukocyte reduction is a method that is still underutilized in Tunisia.