Abstract
Background: Long-term plateletpheresis has been suspected to cause depression in cell-mediated immunity. To prove this hypothesis, we analyzed blood samples by flow-cytometric immunophenotyping in plateletpheresis donors over a period of 26 months. Methods: Donors were included beginning with their first donation (n = 20). A non-donor control group was matched for age and sex (n = 20). Samples were taken before each apheresis and at 3-month intervals (control group: ± 2 days), and analyzed by flow cytometry. A minimum of 6 procedures per year (range 6–14) was the precondition for each donor to be included in the study. Results: No significant differences were seen within the two groups regarding the absolute white blood cell count, total lymphocyte count, relative and absolute counts of CD3+ (p = 0.82), CD4+ (p = 0.91), CD8+ (p = 0.74), CD4:CD8 ratio (p = 0.65), CD16+56+ (p = 0.54), CD25+ (p = 0.82) and CD3+/HLA-DR+ cells (p = 0.66). Conclusions: Long-term plateletpheresis does not seem to alter the absolute white blood cell count, total lymphocyte count or lymphocyte subsets in donors. Regarding the cells and subsets analyzed, plateletpheresis is a safe procedure and does not seem to have a detrimental effect on the cellular immune competence.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
