[Immunologic effects of blood donation].

The effects of blood transfusion and blood donation on the immune system are still unclear. In a prospective study we investigated the effect of blood and blood component donation on several immunologic parameters. Lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels were determined in 25 repeat whole-blood donors (RD), 25 plateletpheresis donors (PD), and 20 autologous blood donors (AD). First-time donors (FTD, n = 20) served as controls. Lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were determined using standard methods. Leukocytes, T-suppressor cells and natural killer (NK) cells were decreased in RD and PD when compared to FTD. Additionally, NK cells decreased with repeat donations in AD. No significant differences of cytokines in the different groups or during repeat autologous donations were observed.