Supportive granulocyte transfusion in the infected severely neutropenic patient

The patterns and types of infection in 93 infectious episodes in 76 patients who received supportive granulocyte transfusions are presented. In this population of infected patients 86 per cent had debilitating malignancies, 88 per cent of the infectious episodes were associated with severe (less than 100/microleters) neutropenia and septicemia was documented in 56 per cent. The overall four-week survival was 71 per cent. Patients with localized infection did extremely well. Pediatric patients also responded well to the transfusion dose and schedule. Older patients (greater than 60) and patients over the age of 17 with diffuse infection did not do as well. Delay in the initiation of granulocyte transfusions after a diagnosis of serious infection was a significant factor in the group which died less than four weeks after the initial WBC transfusion. Donor reactions in nylon filtration leukapheresis and problems associated with administration of nylon filter cells are presented and discussed.