The use of leukocyte-reduced blood components

Many of the risks and discomforts associated with blood transfusion may be avoided by removing the contaminating leukocytes from cellular blood components. Leukocyte reduction prevents many febrile reactions that occasionally occur following red cell transfusion and prevents some febrile reactions following platelet transfusion. Prophylactic use of leukocyte-reduced components may prevent primary HLA alloimmunization, which is a principle cause of the refractoriness to platelet transfusion seen in many multiply transfused, thrombocytopenic patients. Leukocyte-reduced components are equally effective in the prevention of CMV as seronegative blood.