The Nature of the Leucocyte ‘Contamination’ in Platelet Concentrates

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Abstract
In a study of 227 platelet concentrates the average number of lymphocytes in each unit was 66 .times. 106. There was good viability of the mononuclear cells up to 10 days and the percentage of T and B cells and the OKT4+ to OKT8+ ratio appeared unchanged with storage. At day 8 the mononuclear cells were able to respond to phytohaemagglutinin as assessed by the [H3] thymidine uptake at 72 h. The number of mononuclear cells in the concentrates varied with the technique of separation. This emphasises the need for standardisation of optimum methods of separation for platelet concentrates.