Transfusion Monthly Podcast Focuses on Optimizing Granulocyte Transfusions

November 18, 2024

Investigators from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recently joined the Transfusion Monthly Podcast to discuss a study that explored high-dose granulocyte transfusions for neutropenic patients — an area of ongoing debate in transfusion medicine.

The study analyzed 173 granulocyte transfusions administered to 28 adult patients with prolonged neutropenia and severe infections unresponsive to antimicrobial therapy. Results showed a median increase in absolute neutrophil count post-transfusion and a 42.9% survival rate at day 42 with microbial response.

Yannis Hadjiyannis, MD, and Alesia Kaplan, MD, joined host Yara Park, MD, to share their findings and the motivation behind their research. The conversation also addressed challenges in donor recruitment, the clinical application of granulocyte therapy, and the need for prospective studies to refine transfusion protocols and manage issues like HLA antibody formation.