Leukocyte depletion

Under the leukocyte depletion (of ancient Greek λευκός leukós , German , white ' , κύτος Cytos , hollow', 'vessel', 'Case' and Latin deplere , empty ') refers to the removal of leukocytes from blood preparations prior to transfusion .

Since October 1, 2001, by order of the Paul Ehrlich Institute (responsible federal authority), only whole blood preparations, erythrocyte concentrates and platelet concentrates with a leukocyte content of less than 1,000,000 per unit ( blood reserve ) have been placed on the market in the Federal Republic of Germany . The leukocyte depletion must be carried out using a suitable method before the whole blood , erythrocyte concentrates and platelet concentrates are stored .

In this way, transfusion-related incidents can be further reduced. Leukocytes are also suspected of being involved in the transmission of the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD), so that transmission could be avoided in this case.

Web links

• Announcement of the Paul Ehrlich Institute