Blood count changes due to mononuclear cell apheresis

Complete blood count and CFU-GM count of 41 healthy donors was determined immediately before and immediately after mononuclear cell (MNC) apheresis. Red blood cell count dropped from a mean of 5.2 to 4.9 x 10(12)/l, the difference being significant (p less than 0.001). Platelet count was reduced from a mean of 219 to 187 x 10(9)/l, the difference was once again significant (p less than 0.005). Polymorphonuclear cell count did not change significantly, while MNC count was reduced substantially (from mean 3.1 to 2.4 x 10(9)/l, p less than 0.001). The difference between pre- and postapheresis CFU-GM count (median 11.3 versus 8.8 x 10(3)/l respectively) was on the borderline of statistical significance (p = 0.05).