[Granulocyte transfusions. Technical data, granulocyte function and results].

A new method called "repetitive filtration leukopheresis" is described for granulocyte transfusion therapy. 23 patients received a total of 91 transfusions. All patients presented neutropenia of less than 300/mm3 and various kinds of infection resistant to antibiotic therapy. A favorable result was observed in 18 cases following these transfusions, which did not produce the secondary effects noted by others (chills, rash, fever, dyspnea). It was felt that this remarkable tolerance was a result of the collection procedure (elution at pH 7.4 ommission of centrifugation, thus securing the functional integrity of the cells). This impression was confirmed by the results of a battery of tests performed on the collected granulocytes, which included evaluation of their phagocytic and bacteriolytic functions and of their ability to break down a phagocytized antigen, together with measurements of lysosomial enzymes released in the supernatant.