Early granulocyte transfusions in high risk febrile neutropenic patients

A total of 39 febrile neutropenic patients at high risk of gram-negative rod bacteremia and poor prognosis relative to likely response to infection were randomized prospectively to receive granulocyte transfusion within 24 hours of beginning broad spectrum combination antibiotic therapy. Of 16 infected patients receiving granulocytes 11 (69%) improved and of 23 not receiving granulocytes 18 (78%) improved (NSD). Similar results were found for bacteremia (3 of 4 and 6 of 7 improved, respectively). These results do not support the routine early use of granulocyte transfusions in this defined group of neutropenic patients.