The Acquisition of Granulocytes by Leukapheresis: A Comparison of Continuous Flow Centrifugation and Filtration Leukapheresis in Normal and Corticosteroid‐Stimulated Donors

Leukapheresis by continuous flow centrifugation (CFC) or filtration (FL) were compared in untreated and corticosteroid-treated donors. The administration of prednisone 60 mg orally 10 to 12 hours before leukapheresis increased significantly both the donor's prepheresis WBC counts and the total granulocyte yields by CFC or FL. Dexamethasone 6 mg iv at the start of FL did not increase granulocyte yields significantly. In untreated donors FL yielded 0.25 x 10(10) granulocytes per liter donor blood processed as compared with 0.05 x 10(10) per liter in CFC donors. Corticosteroid premedication has a greater relative effect in increasing yields by CFC than by FL. Donor reaction rates were between 4 and 6 per cent for both procedures.