The authors evaluate in a retrospective, non-randomized two-year study the action of 57 granulocyte concentrates from a Fenwal CS 3000 separator in 12 patients used for induction therapy of acute leukaemia, malignant lymphoma and agranulocytosis, as compared with a control group of 18 patients without concentrates. The indication for selection was granulocytopenia of less than 0.5.10(9)/l, temperatures resistant to antibiotics for more than 48 hours, mainly gram-negative sepsis and a severe localized infection. A significant reduction of febrile days was achieved, to 6.08 as compared with 12.44 (p less than 0.001) along with cure of the infection. Survival, evaluated on the 21st day of the investigation in the treated group 66.6%, as compared with 61.1%, and the percentage of complete remissions 58% as compared with 55.56%, were not statistically significant (p greater than 0.05). The mean one-hour rise of granulocytes by 0.37 x 10(9)/l in the recipients had no clinical impact. With the exception of one patient a relationship was observed between the favourable action of transfusions and the trend of recovery of the patient's granulopoiesis and the onset of remission of the disease. Minor pyretic and allergic reactions occurred in three patients (5.2%).

Keywords: Adolescent; Adult; Blood Transfusion; Bone Marrow Diseases /therapy/; Child; Granulocytes /transplantation/; Humans; Middle Aged