Viable lymphocytes in fresh frozen plasma as a potential source of graft-versus-host disease: risks and solutions

Abstract

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The contamination of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) by residual leukocytes, red cells and platelets is a well-known occurrence that must be taken into account during the manufacture of blood components for clinical use1. The untoward biological effects of the transfer of cell membranes and intracellular products has long been highlighted2,3. Such effects include anti-red cell immunisation or antigenic boost, platelet allo-immunisation and reactions to cell breakdown products4, usually as non-haemolytic transfusion reactions5. [ … ]