[Comparison of leukocyte filters for erythrocyte concentration]

We compared the following leukocyte filter blood systems (BBS): Biotrans Bio R01 Plus, Diamed Sepacell RS-200, Pall BPF4 (log 4 filters) and Biotrans Bio R01 (log 3 filter). We evaluated the leukocyte removal, handling, the increase of free hemoglobin and the loss of red blood cells (RBC) by filtration. A total of 54 buffy-coat-reduced RBCs were suspended in 200 ml PAGGS-M, stored at +4 degrees C for 24 h and filtered subsequently. Samples were taken before storage, immediately before and after filtration to measure total and free Hb and the white blood cell (WBC) contamination.

(1) All log 4 filters showed a comparable reduction of the WBC content per RBC concentrate. (2) Differences were observed in total filtration time and loss of RBCs: Biotrans Bio R01 Plus and Pall BPF4 yielded significantly better results than Diamed Sepacell RS-200. (3) The log 3 filter did not meet the criteria of < 5 x 10(6) WBCs per filtered unit of RBCs (as recommended by the Council of Europe).