Clinical Application of Leukocyte Depletion Proceedings of the 3rd Hokkaido Symposium on Transfusion Medicine

Blood transfusion is never without risk, but recent clinical studies suggest that by reducing the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in blood products, these risks can be reduced. The method by which the donor's leukocytes affect the recipient's immune system is still iunclear, but this topic has recieved a great deal of research attention in recent years. The preparation and use of leukocyte-poor blood and blood products is thus one of the most important subjects in transfusion medicine. This title reviews the present knowledge in this field and should be of use to transfusionists, haematologists, oncologists, immunologists and pathologists.