White Blood Cell Transfusions for Control of Infections in Neutropenic Patients

Four hundred and fifty‐four leukocyte transfusions from unrelated donors with chronic myelogenous leukemia were given to 128 patients during 179 febrile episodes with a median circulating granulocyte count prior to leukocyte transfusions of 80/cm. Forty‐nine per cent of the serious and life‐threatening infections responded to a combination of granulocyte transfusions and appropriate antibiotic therapy. Minor complications occurred in approximately 25 per cent of patients and more severe toxicity was seen in only 2 per cent. No deaths were attributed to leukocyte transfusions. 1975 AABB