Immunologic follow-up of infants treated with granulocyte transfusion for neonatal sepsis

The immunologic status and the occurrence of alloimmunization against granulocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, and red cells was evaluated in 33 babies who received granulocyte transfusion because of neonatal sepsis. Nine age-matched babies were examined as control. A first group of 19 infants was examined only once between 6 and 23 months of age. Alloantibodies were searched by the following serologic methods: standard techniques for red cell antibodies; lymphocytotoxicity test; agglutination and immunofluorescence tests on granulocytes and platelets. No antibodies were demonstrated. The immunologic profile was investigated by determining the Ig levels, the percentage of E rosette-forming cells, and the lymphocyte blastic response to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A. Granulocyte function was studied by phagocytosis and killing of Candida. No significant differences were observed between treated and control babies. In a second group of 14 infants the occurrence of early immunization within 3 to 9 weeks after the last transfusion was investigated. No evidence of early immunization was found. The present data suggest that following neonatal granulocyte transfusion the risk of adverse immune reactions should be low.