Granulocytes (neutrophils) in blood transfusion

granulocytes

Although clinical effectiveness of granulocytes (neutrophils) is debatable, it may be considered in patients with life-threatening soft tissue or organ infection with bacteria or fungi and low neutrophil counts, usually in the setting of severe, prolonged neutropenia after cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Two main granulocyte-rich components are used for transfusion:

• buffy coats derived from whole blood donations
• granulocytes collected by apheresis from individual donor

Granulocyte components must be ABO and RhD compatible and crossmatched with the recipient since it contains red cells (1)

Reference:

• (1) Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee. Handbook of transfusion medicine (2013).