Universal leukocyte reduction

Leukocyte reduction of blood components, in the United States, is generally reserved for conditions in which a clinical indication has been documented. There is no evidence that either Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are transmitted by transfusion in humans or that leukocyte reduction of blood components could reduce their transmission. A number of adverse outcomes following transfusion are alleged to be the result of white blood cells. At this point in time, there are insufficient clinical data to justify the universal leukocyte reduction of blood components.