Effect on cytotoxicity antibodies in potential transplant recipients of leucocyte-poor blood-transfusion.

In a controlled clinical trail, 40 uraemic patients received only leucocyte-poor blood (L.P.B.) while 30 uraemic controls received whole blood and ordinary packed red blood-cells (R.B.C.). Alloimmunisation by HL-A antibodies was found in 15% of the study group and 52% of the control group. Thus, L.P.B. was significantly less likely to produce alloimmunisation than ordinary whole blood or R.B.C. transfusion. Frozen R.B.C may produce even less alloimmunisation, but the advantages of L.P.B. include lower cost, prolonged storage, and ready availability in emergencies.