Effect and safety of granulocyte transfusions in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia or defective granulocyte functions

Granulocyte transfusions in life-threatening infections of children with hemato-oncological diseases

Granulocytes are the most important cells for host defense during infections. Granulocyte suspension transfusions (GTx) may be given as additional treatment in severely neutropenic patients with life-threatening infections when antimicrobial therapy is inadequate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of GTx for the treatment of children with hemato-oncological disease, febrile neutropenia and serious life-threatening infections. Patients who underwent GTx between July 2020 and September 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. Hematologic and clinical response rates, adverse effects, characteristics of infection episodes and survival data of the patients were analyzed. During the study period, 60 patients received a total of 313 GTx for 81 infection episodes with a median number of GTx/infection episode of 3 (range 1-29). The median neutrophil count per bag was 20.8 (range 7.9-68.3) × 109 and the median neutrophil count per kg body weight was 0.82 (range 0.17-9.2) × 109. Clinical response was 85 %. Clinical response decreased significantly as the duration of neutropenia increased (p = 0.002). Hematologic response was calculated in 198 GTx (GTx given with pre-transfusion neutrophil count ≤ 0.5 × 109/L); hematologic response rate was 34 %. The infection-related mortality was 15 % and overall survival rate was 87 % and 70 % on days 30 and 90, respectively. No serious side effects were observed in any patient. Granulocyte transfusions appear to be safe and effective supportive treatment in neutropenic children with hematologic/oncologic diseases and severe infections.

Investigation of Allogeneic Neutrophil Transfusion in Improving Survival Rates of Severe Infection Mice

The management of granulocytopenia-associated infections is challenging, and a high mortality rate is associated with traditional supportive therapies. Neutrophils-the primary defenders of the human immune system-have potent bactericidal capabilities. Here, we investigated the dynamic in vivo distribution of neutrophil transfusion and their impact on the treatment outcome of severe granulocytopenic infections. We transfused 89Zr-labeled neutrophils in the C57BL/6 mice and observed the dynamic neutrophil distribution in mice for 24 h using the micro-positron emission tomography (Micro-PET) technique. The labeled neutrophils were predominantly retained in the lungs and spleen up to 4 h after injection and then redistributed to other organs, such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. Neutrophil transfusion did not elicit marked inflammatory responses or organ damage in healthy host mice. Notably, allogeneic neutrophils showed rapid chemotaxis to the infected area of the host within 1 h. Tail vein infusion of approximately 107 neutrophils substantially bolstered host immunity, ameliorated the inflammatory state, and increased survival rates in neutrophil-depleted and infected mice. Overall, massive allogeneic neutrophil transfusion had a therapeutic effect in severe infections and can have extensive applications in the future.

Granulocyte Transfusion Therapy: Institutional Experience of Benefit in Cancer Patients with Prolonged Neutropenic Sepsis—A Retrospective Study

Introduction Patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy for hematological malignancy and stem cell transplantation are at increased risk of neutropenia.

Neutropenia is among the frequent side effects of intensive treatments, and when absolute neutrophil count (ANC) falls < 500/µL, the risk of microbial and fungal infection increases significantly.

As neutropenia is the main cause of these infections, transfusion of granulocyte immediately as a replacement is a life-saving therapeutic option to support these patients by restoring neutrophil counts and aiding in the resolution of infection.

Objective The present study is a retrospective single institutional analysis of granulocyte transfusion therapy in children and young adults with cancer who received treatment with GT during prolonged and profound life threatening neutropenia.

Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of 66 granulocyte transfusions in 36 patients of hematological and solid malignancy with severe and prolonged neutropenia in the department of Medical Oncology, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences Indore, between September 2019 and March 2022.

Donors were either patients' relatives or voluntary donors without comorbidities.

All granulocyte concentrates were collected by centrifugation leukapheresis and irradiated with 2500 centigray and immediately transfused in full, to the patient over 60 ot 120 minutes with appropriate premedication.

Results A total of 36 patients (M:F, 19:17) with a median age of 16 years (2–43) received 66 granulocyte transfusions. The diagnosis of patients included acute myelogenous leukemia (n = 17), B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 10), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 3), Ewing's sarcoma (n = 2), neuroblastoma (n = 1), malignant melanoma (n = 1), aplastic anemia (n = 1), osteosarcoma (n = 1). All had severe neutropenia with absolute neutrophil count < 0.5 × 109/L. The median duration of severe neutropenia was 16 days. Patients received a median cell dose of granulocytes 2.9 × 1010/L. A favorable response was seen in 28 (78%) patients, whereas an unfavorable response was seen in 8 patients (23%).

Conclusion A granulocyte therapy was effective in many critically sick patients with prolonged and profound neutropenia. Granulocyte transfusions may be more beneficial in selected patients where it provides more time to overcome refractory infections with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Granulocyte transfusion are at best a “bridge” that gives time to marrow recovery. The challenges to using GT are clinical, finding patients who may get benefitted, and logistical, selection of donors and harvest technique. Randomized trials with large numbers of patients are required to prepare guidelines for granulocyte use.

Survival among children and adults treated with granulocyte transfusions: Twenty years' experience at a Brazilian blood center

BACKGROUND

It remains controversial whether granulocyte transfusions as a supportive treatment improve survival in patients with febrile neutropenia or granulocyte dysfunctions. We describe survival rates subsequent to granulocyte transfusions in pediatric and adults patients treated at a major blood center in Brazil.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of pediatric and adult patients treated with granulocyte transfusions at our institution from January 2000 to October 2019. We assessed demographic characteristics, clinical features, indications for transfusion, units transfused, dose of granulocytes administered and survival rates 30 and 100 days after the initial transfusion.

RESULTS

We identified 64 pediatric and 67 adult patients treated with 262 granulocyte transfusions. An optimal dose (> 0.6 × 10⁹ granulocytes per kilogram per transfused unit) was available for transfusion in 80.4 % of pediatric patients but in only 19.6 % of adults (p = 0.017). Thirty days after their first granulocyte transfusion, 38 (59.4 %) pediatric and 61 (91 %) adult patients had died. Patients receiving the optimal dose of granulocytes had better survival outcomes, but even among this sub-group, adults were more likely to die than were children either at 30 days (OR = 8.67, 95 %CI 2.69-34.9) or 100 days (OR = 6.27, 95 %CI 1.86-25.9) after their initial granulocyte transfusion.

CONCLUSION

Survival rates following granulocyte transfusion varied by the dose transfused and were higher in children than in adults.

Use of granulocyte transfusion in early period in life-threatening infections of pediatric hematology and oncology patients: A single-center experience

Despite all the developments in medicine, infections continue to be one of the most important causes of mortality in pediatric hematology and oncology patients. The more severe the degree of neutropenia develops after intensive chemotherapy in cancer patients, and the longer the neutropenia duration, the higher the risk of infection. Granulocyte transfusion (GT) is used as supportive therapy in cases where the bone marrow needs time to recover in invasive bacterial or fungal infections along with severe neutropenia. The patients who had granulocyte transfusions in our clinic between June 2019 and June 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 15 units of granulocyte concentrate were used in 11 febrile neutropenia attacks of 9 patients. The demographic characteristics of the patients and features belonging to the period of GT were recorded. In our study, the clinical response rate after GT was 90.9 %, while the hematological response rate was 40 %. Most of the patients were treated succesfully, the mortality rate was 9%. We think that the most critical factor for success with GTs is determining the neutropenic patient in particular with a combination of high-risk malignancy and acute life-threatening infection for using GT. Also, early use of GT in those patients who do not recover despite appropriate antimicrobial and supportive treatment may contribute to improvement of the clinical conditon in a shorter period of time and reduction of repeated GTs.

Comparison of Different Doses of Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor in the Treatment of High-risk Febrile Neutropenia in Children With Cancer

Febrile neutropenia (FEN) is a significant side effect after chemotherapy, and it is known that using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has positive effects on treatment results. In this study, the effects of different G-CSF doses (5 to 10 mcg/kg/day) on treatment results in patients with high-risk FEN were evaluated. A total of 124 high-risk FEN episodes of 62 patients were enrolled in the study between June 2017 and October 2018. The episodes were divided into 2 groups according to G-CSF treatment doses, they received from 5 to 10 mcg/kg/day. The clinical characteristics of the patients, the treatments they received, laboratory findings, microbiologic results, and cost analysis were recorded. No statistically significant difference was found between 2 groups in terms of the mean duration of recovery from neutropenia, duration of fever, total length of hospital stay, duration of FEN episode, duration of G-CSF use, costs, bacteremia frequency, and other treatments. In patients with solid tumors, the cost of filgrastim was significantly higher in the high-dose G-CSF group. Using different doses of G-CSF in high-risk FEN episodes did not show any different effects on clinical and treatment results. The dose of 5 mcg/kg/day would be more appropriate in FEN treatment.

Efficacy and safety of granulocyte transfusion in children: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Granulocyte suspension transfusion (GTx) can be used in severely neutropenic patients with infections that cannot be controlled despite appropriate antibiotic therapy.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of GTx for the treatment of febrile neutropenia (FEN) in the pediatric age group.

METHODS

Patients who underwent GTx in the Hematology Clinic of Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Hematologic and clinical response rates, effects on survival, and adverse effects were investigated. Clinical response was defined at two time points: clinical response I was evaluated after each transfusion, while clinical response II was evaluated after the final GTx in a FEN episode.

RESULTS

During the study period, 343 GTx were given 107 FEN episodes of 74 patients. The mean number of granulocyte suspensions administered per patient and per FEN episode was 4.6 units and 3.2 units. The mean GTx volume administered was 237 ± 40 mL, and the mean granulocyte count was 2.8 ± 1.3 x 10¹⁰ /unit. Hematologic response was attained in 163 (47.6%) of 343 transfusions. Clinical response I was obtained in 88 (25.7%) of the GTx, and clinical response II was attained in 83 (78.5%) of 107 episodes. Life-threatening adverse event was not observed. The cumulative 1-month and 3-month survival rates were 87.8% and 76.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

High hematologic response and clinical recovery rates were achieved with GTx, with no limiting adverse effects. Granulocyte transfusion appears to be a safe and effective treatment in pediatric patients with FEN.

Role of granulocyte transfusions in combating life-threatening infections in patients with severe neutropenia: Experience from a tertiary care centre in North India

Bacterial and fungal infections still remain an important cause of mortality in patients with hematological malignancies and in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) especially in developing countries like India. Granulocyte transfusions (GTX) from healthy donors may lead to early clearance of index infection and thus prevent mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GTX in combating life-threatening infections and preventing mortality in patients of hematological disorders/recipients of HSCT with severe neutropenia. This study was a prospective, observational analysis of patients with different hematological disorders/recipients of HSCT, who received GTX from January 2014 to December 2017. All patients had an Absolute neutrophil Count (ANC) < 0.5 x 109/L and a life threatening sepsis defined by presence of hemodynamic instability/ impending septic shock/ continuous high fever despite the use of the highest line of antimicrobials. A total of 143 granulocyte collections were done for 66 infectious episodes (IEs) in 60 patients. Multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) were observed in 47/66 IEs (71.2%) and fungal infections were seen in 9/66 IEs (13.6%). Resolution of index infection after GTX was seen in 45/66 IEs (68.2%), and the 30 day overall survival (OS) was 67.7%. OS was significantly higher in patients who received GTX within 7 days of neutropenic sepsis (p = 0.01). Patients with MDROs who received early GTX therapy had a better OS as compared to those who received late GTX (p = 0.02). GTX were well tolerated and only 6 patients' developed mild features of transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI) which was managed conservatively, and 1 patient demonstrated hypocalcemic tetany. GTX may be of particular relevance in countries like India, where the incidence of infections is very high in neutropenic patients and there is an increasing emergence of MDROs.

Granulocyte Transfusion Therapy in Childhood

Despite the use of new broad-spectrum anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents, infections still represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with prolonged neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to assess the effect and safety of granulocyte transfusions (GTs) for the treatment of severe life-threatening infections in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia. In this study, 13 pediatric patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia, who received 24 GTs, were included. GTs were well tolerated in all patients. Upon 24 h post-transfusion, neutrophil and platelet counts increased significantly, when compared to the baseline values. The clinical response and hematologic response rates were 69.2 % respectively. In conclusion, GT is safe and effective in controlling life-threatening infections. Furthermore, randomized controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess the exact role of GT in the outcome of patients with neutropenia.

Granulocyte transfusions in the management of invasive fungal infections

Granulocyte transfusions have a long history of being used in patients with neutropenia or neutrophil dysfunction to prevent and treat invasive fungal infections. However, there are limited and conflicting data concerning its clinical effectiveness, considerable variations in current granulocyte transfusion practices, and uncertainties about its benefit as an adjunct to modern antifungal therapy. In this review, we provide an overview on granulocyte transfusions and summarize the evidence on their role in the prevention and treatment of invasive fungal infections.

Changing Trends in the Use of Granulocyte Transfusions in Neutropenic Children with Sepsis in India

We present our data on granulocyte transfusions in children undergoing treatment for cancer and HSCT at our centre and their changing indications. In this retrospective observational analysis of children who received granulocytes from 2007 to 2015, we divided children receiving granulocytes into two groups-the first from January 2007 till December 2013 and the second from January 2014 till December 2015. This division is based on the change in our policy to use granulocytes within 48 h of septicemia as the incidence of drug resistant bacterial strains had increased at our centre. Data on 72 children with febrile neutropenia treated with 230 granulocyte infusions was analyzed. From 2007 to 2013 (n = 48/72), 27/48 (56 %) had culture proven sepsis of which 14 (51 %) were carbapenem resistant gram negative bacilli. 11 of the 27 children survived the crisis (41 %). We then changed our policy to transfuse granulocytes early during sepsis. From 2014 to 2015 (n = 24/72) 22 patients had culture proven sepsis (91 %) of which 20 had carbapenem resistant gram negative bacilli. 12/22 (54 %) with culture proven sepsis survived the episode. The survival rate improved from 41 % in first group to 54 % after early intervention with granulocytes (P value 0.0347). Despite the increased incidence of resistant bacteria during the period of 2014-2015, early use of granulocytes improved survival rate from 41 to 54 %. This intervention cannot be taken in isolation and needs to be offered early in parallel with appropriate antibiotics.

Granulocyte transfusions for treating infections in people with neutropenia or neutrophil dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Despite modern antimicrobials and supportive therapy bacterial and fungal infections are still major complications in people with prolonged disease-related or treatment-related neutropenia. Transfusions of granulocytes have a long history of usage in clinical practice to support and treat severe infection in high-risk groups of patients with neutropenia or neutrophil dysfunction. However, there is considerable current variability in therapeutic granulocyte transfusion practice, and uncertainty about the beneficial effect of transfusions given as an adjunct to antibiotics on mortality. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2005.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of granulocyte transfusions compared to no granulocyte transfusions as adjuncts to antimicrobials for treating infections in people with neutropenia or disorders of neutrophil function aimed at reducing mortality and other adverse outcomes related to infection.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (the Cochrane Library 2016, Issue 2). MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), CINAHL (from 1937), the Transfusion Evidence Library (from 1980) and ongoing trial databases to 11 February 2016.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs comparing people with neutropenia or disorders of neutrophil dysfunction receiving granulocyte transfusions to treat infection with a control group receiving no granulocyte transfusions. Neonates are the subject of another Cochrane review and were excluded from this review. There was no restriction by outcomes examined, language or publication status.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by the Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 10 trials that met the inclusion criteria with a total of 587 participants. We also identified another ongoing trial. These trials were conducted between 1975 and 2015. None of the studies included people with neutrophil dysfunction. The studies differed in the type of infections they included. Six studies included both children and adults, however data were not reported separately for children and adults. The two newest studies gave granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to donors; both were stopped early due to lack of recruitment. Three studies re-randomised participants and therefore quantitative analysis was unable to be performed.Overall the quality of the evidence was very low to low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to many of the studies being at high risk of bias, and many of the outcomes being imprecise.There may be no difference in all-cause mortality over 30 days between participants receiving therapeutic granulocyte transfusions and those that did not (six studies; 321 participants; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.04; very low-quality evidence). There were no differences between the granulocyte dose subgroups (< 1 x 10(10) per day versus ≥ 1 x 10(10) per day) (test for subgroup differences P = 0.39). There was a difference in all-cause mortality between the studies based on the age of the study (published before 2000 versus published 2000 or later) (test for subgroup differences P = 0.03). There was no difference in all-cause mortality between participants receiving granulocyte transfusions and those that did not in the newest study (one study; 111 participants; RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.73, low-quality evidence). There may be a reduction in all-cause mortality in participants receiving granulocyte transfusions compared to those that did not in studies published before the year 2000 (five studies; 210 participants; RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.85; low-quality evidence).There may be no difference in clinical reversal of concurrent infection between participants receiving therapeutic granulocyte transfusions and those that did not (five studies; 286 participants; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.19; low-quality evidence).There is insufficient evidence to determine whether there is a difference in pulmonary serious adverse events (1 study; 24 participants; RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.88; very low-quality evidence).None of the studies reported number of days on therapeutic antibiotics, number of adverse events requiring discontinuation of treatment, or quality of life.Six studies reported their funding sources and all were funded by governments or charities.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In people who are neutropenic due to myelosuppressive chemotherapy or a haematopoietic stem cell transplant, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether granulocyte transfusions affect all-cause mortality. To be able to detect a decrease in all-cause mortality from 35% to 30% would require a study containing at least 2748 participants (80% power, 5% significance). There is low-grade evidence that therapeutic granulocyte transfusions may not increase the number of participants with clinical resolution of an infection.

Granulocyte transfusions in children and adults with hematological malignancies: benefits and controversies

Bacterial and fungal infections continue to pose a major clinical challenge in patients with prolonged severe neutropenia after chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). With the advent of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilize neutrophils in healthy donors, granulocyte transfusions have been broadly used to prevent and/or treat life-threatening infections in patients with severe febrile neutropenia and/or neutrophil dysfunction. Although the results of randomized controlled trials are inconclusive, there are suggestions from pilot and retrospective studies that granulocyte transfusions may benefit selected categories of patients. We will critically appraise the evidence related to the use of therapeutic granulocyte transfusions in children and adults, highlighting current controversies in the field and discussing complementary approaches to modulate phagocyte function in the host.

Granulocyte transfusion experience in pediatric neutropenic fever: Splitted product can be an alternative?

The granulocyte transfusion (GTX) has been used for a long time due to uncontrolled neutropenic fever with antimicrobial agents. In some cases, the product needs to be splitted for using in the next 12 hours. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of splitted product and clinical response to GTX. In this study, 15 patients with malignancy with 19 neutropenic fever, who had received 56 GTX, were included. Seventeen of 56 GTX were splitted and used in maximum 12 hours during infections which did not respond to antibacterial and antifungal therapy in 7 days. The patients were divided in to response groups as a complete, partial and progressive. The predictive factors for response group were evaluated. GTX were well tolerated in all patients. The median granulocyte dose was 1.26 (0.38-5.22) × 10(9)/kg. Total response rate was 89.5%. The infection-related mortality rate was 10.5%. Although the granulocyte doses are the same in both of the product groups, an hour later ANC increment of primer product was higher than that of splitted product (p = 0.001). Among the products, 48.7% of primer product and 17.6% of splitted product had induced ≥ 1000/mm(3) ANC increment after an hour (p = 0.039). Granulocyte transfusion is safe and effective in controlling the febrile neutropenia attack. GTX should be applied in a short time to provide effective ANC increment. For now, main granulocyte product instead of splitted product should be preferred in case of uncontrolled neutropenic fever with antibacterial/antifungal agents.

Granulocyte transfusions for preventing infections in people with neutropenia or neutrophil dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Despite modern antimicrobials and supportive therapy, bacterial and fungal infections are still major complications in people with prolonged disease-related or therapy-related neutropenia. Since the late 1990s there has been increasing demand for donated granulocyte transfusions to treat or prevent severe infections in people who lack their own functional granulocytes. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2009.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of prophylactic granulocyte transfusions compared with a control population not receiving this intervention for preventing all-cause mortality, mortality due to infection, and evidence of infection due to infection or due to any other cause in people with neutropenia or disorders of neutrophil function.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library 2015, Issue 3), MEDLINE (from 1946), EMBASE (from 1974), CINAHL (from 1937), theTransfusion Evidence Library (from 1980) and ongoing trial databases to April 20 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing people receiving granulocyte transfusions to prevent the development of infection with a control group receiving no granulocyte transfusions. Neonates are the subject of another Cochrane review and were excluded from this review. There was no restriction by outcomes examined, but this review focuses on mortality, mortality due to infection and adverse events.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.

MAIN RESULTS

Twelve trials met the inclusion criteria. One trial is still ongoing, leaving a total of 11 trials eligible involving 653 participants. These trials were conducted between 1978 and 2006 and enrolled participants from fairly comparable patient populations. None of the studies included people with neutrophil dysfunction. Ten studies included only adults, and two studies included children and adults. Ten of these studies contained separate data for each arm and were able to be critically appraised. One study re-randomised people and therefore quantitative analysis was unable to be performed.Overall, the quality of the evidence was very low to low across different outcomes according to GRADE methodology. This was due to many of the studies being at high risk of bias, and many of the outcome estimates being imprecise.All-cause mortality was reported for nine studies (609 participants). There was no difference in all-cause mortality over 30 days between people receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions and those that did not (seven studies; 437 participants; RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.36, very low-quality evidence).Mortality due to infection was reported for seven studies (398 participants). There was no difference in mortality due to infection over 30 days between people receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions and those that did not (six studies; 286 participants; RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.44, very low-quality evidence).The number of people with localised or systemic bacterial or fungal infections was reported for nine studies (609 participants). There were differences between the granulocyte dose subgroups (test for subgroup differences P = 0.01). There was no difference in the number of people with infections over 30 days between people receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions and those that did not in the low-dose granulocyte group (< 1.0 x 10(10) granulocytes per day) (four studies, 204 participants; RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.20; very low-quality evidence). There was a decreased number of people with infections over 30 days in the people receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions in the intermediate-dose granulocyte group (1.0 x 10(10) to 4.0 x 10(10) granulocytes per day) (4 studies; 293 participants; RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.63, low-quality evidence).There was a decreased number of participants with bacteraemia and fungaemia in the participants receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions (nine studies; 609 participants; RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.65, low-quality evidence).There was no difference in the number of participants with localised bacterial or fungal infection in the participants receiving prophylactic granulocyte transfusions (six studies; 296 participants; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.14; very low-quality evidence).Serious adverse events were only reported for participants receiving granulocyte transfusions and donors of granulocyte transfusions.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In people who are neutropenic due to myelosuppressive chemotherapy or a haematopoietic stem cell transplant, there is low-grade evidence that prophylactic granulocyte transfusions decrease the risk of bacteraemia or fungaemia. There is low-grade evidence that the effect of prophylactic granulocyte transfusions may be dose-dependent, a dose of at least 10 x 10(10) per day being more effective at decreasing the risk of infection. There is insufficient evidence to determine any difference in mortality rates due to infection, all-cause mortality, or serious adverse events.

Granulocyte transfusions for children with infection and neutropenia or granulocyte dysfunction

Transfusions of granulocytes can be used as an adjunct therapy to antimicrobials in patients with infection and neutropenia or granulocyte dysfunction. However, there is a lack of strong clinical evidence to support the use of this treatment strategy, particularly in children. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children who received granulocytes at our institution from April 2009 to October 2012, with emphasis on primary indication for the transfusion and clinical outcome in terms of infection. The patients had granulocyte dysfunction or severe neutropenia, defined as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) < 500 cells/mm(3) due to chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and reasonable hope for bone marrow recovery or engraftment. Eighteen children received granulocytes during 20 distinct episodes: 62% (n = 13) for acute infection, 29% (n = 5) for unresolved chronic infection during the time of HSCT, and 9% (n = 2) for other clinical conditions such as typhilitis and appendectomy. Overall, 92% (n = 12) of the episodes of acute infection had complete or partial resolution, as determined by review of vital signs, physical exam findings and discontinuation of antimicrobials. A substantial number (46%) of children who received granulocytes for acute infection developed respiratory adverse events, but all of these recovered. We conclude that granulocyte transfusions continue to be primarily used in neutropenic patients with acute infections, and that its use in this group of patients is reasonable. However, a prospective randomized clinical trial is needed to evaluate safety and whether the use of granulocytes is superior to antimicrobial-only therapy.

Membrane permeability of the human granulocyte to water, dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol

Granulocytes are currently transfused as soon as possible after collection because they rapidly deteriorate after being removed from the body. This short shelf life complicates the logistics of granulocyte collection, banking, and safety testing. Cryopreservation has the potential to significantly increase shelf life; however, cryopreservation of granulocytes has proven to be difficult. In this study, we investigate the membrane permeability properties of human granulocytes, with the ultimate goal of using membrane transport modeling to facilitate development of improved cryopreservation methods. We first measured the equilibrium volume of human granulocytes in a range of hypo- and hypertonic solutions and fit the resulting data using a Boyle-van't Hoff model. This yielded an isotonic cell volume of 378 μm(3) and an osmotically inactive volume of 165 μm(3). To determine the permeability of the granulocyte membrane to water and cryoprotectant (CPA), cells were injected into well-mixed CPA solution while collecting volume measurements using a Coulter Counter. These experiments were performed at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37°C for exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol. The best-fit water permeability was similar in the presence of all of the CPAs, with an average value at 21°C of 0.18 μmatm(-1)min(-1). The activation energy for water transport ranged from 41 to 61 kJ/mol. The CPA permeability at 21°C was 6.4, 1.0, 8.4, and 4.0 μm/min for dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, and propylene glycol, respectively, and the activation energy for CPA transport ranged between 59 and 68 kJ/mol.

Numerous granulocyte transfusions to a patient with severe aplastic anemia without severe complication

One of the most important morbidity causes of aplastic anemia is invasive fungal infections. It could not be possible to take control of infection without neutrophils despite the recent developments in the antifungals. In this presented case, a patient with severe aplastic anemia, granulocyte transfusion were administered as 46 times because of the presence of widely invasive aspergillosis and resistance. Only fever reaction was observed as a complication of transfusion amongst the other complications such as acute lung damage, alloimmunisation, and graft-versus-host disease. Granulosit transfusions should not be avoided in patients who had an indication for.