Blood transfusion and total joint replacement surgery: T helper 2 (TH2) cytokine secretion and clinical outcome.

Surgery and blood transfusions have both been reported to cause decreases in various measures of cell-mediated immunity. A study of in vitro T helper lymphocyte type 2 (Th2) cytokine secretion after major joint replacement surgery was performed because these cytokines (IL4 and IL10) generally down-regulate cellular immune function. Th1 cytokines such as IL2 tend to up-regulate cellular immunity. Forty-three patients undergoing elective joint replacement surgery had pre- and multiple post-operative levels of IL2, IL4 and IL10 secretion measured and analysed with regard to demographic and clinical outcome data. Total joint replacement alone without allogeneic transfusions led to substantial increases in peak mean IL4 (2.1 times the pre-operative level) and IL10 secretion in vitro (4.3-fold) compared with much more modest increases in IL2 (1.36-fold) (P < 0.0001 for changes from baseline for each cytokine). In 14 patients who received allogeneic transfusions, these changes were greater than those in recipients of only autologous blood for IL4 (5.0-fold; P = 0.0036 vs. no allogeneic transfusion) and IL10 (15.7-fold; P = 0.079) but not for IL2 (1.38-fold; P = 0.38). The dramatic increase in Th2 cytokine secretion and minimal change in Th1 cytokine secretion after total joint replacement, with or without allogeneic transfusions, was seen regardless of type of anaesthetic, duration of surgery or whether knee or hip replacement occurred. These changes in cytokine patterns may contribute to the decreases in cellular immune function seen after surgery. Allogeneic transfusions but not autologous transfusions appear to exacerbate this immune deviation toward a T helper 2 (Th2) type response, and thus probably contribute to down-regulation of cellular immunity in the setting of joint replacement surgery.

A cost comparison of allogeneic and preoperatively or intraoperatively donated autologous blood.

We determined the cost of allogeneic packed red blood cells and autologous whole blood donated either preoperatively or in the operating room during hemodilution. Direct and indirect cost estimates were based on patients requiring simple transfusion and included procurement and preparation of the blood including testing performed, materials and time used, waste, and materials for administration. Data were derived from prospective blood bank time studies, material invoice records, and retrospective review of anesthesia times. Viral infection and transfusion reaction costs were accepted from previously published sources. Direct cost of purchasing and indirect costs of preparation resulted in an overall cost of $107.26 for the first unit of allogeneic packed red blood cells transfused. A second unit was slightly less costly ($100.89), as no type and screen was required and the same delivery set and filter can be used. The total cost of acquisition, processing, and transfusion of 1 U of preoperatively donated autologous blood was $97.83. The total cost of a 2-U transfusion of autologous whole blood donated in the operating room during acute normovolemic hemodilution was $83.10. These data suggest that autologous predonation of whole blood is somewhat less expensive than allogeneic packed red blood cells, and that hemodilution may be a cost effective alternative to autologous predonation in selected patients.

A cost analysis of autologous and allogeneic transfusions in hip-replacement surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the cost consequences of autologous versus allogeneic transfusions. METHODS: Costs were determined when allogeneic transfusions were given in addition to, or instead of, autologous transfusions. Hospital charges were used to estimate costs for hip-replacement surgery. The main outcome measure was estimated incremental hospital costs per unit transfused. RESULTS: Among donors of autologous blood, mean total charges were $7,200 greater for recipients of both autologous and allogeneic transfusions than for recipients of autologous transfusion only (P=0.0001). Each allogeneic transfusion was associated with additional costs of $1,480. In a second cohort of patients receiving identical amounts of either allogeneic or autologous blood (mean=2.3 units), total hospital charges were a mean of $4,800 greater (P=0.0001) for allogeneic recipients. The per unit excess costs associated with each unit of allogeneic blood cohort were $1,043. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic transfusions are associated with incremental hospital costs of about $1,000 to $1,500 per unit transfused when compared with costs for similar patients receiving no transfusions or 1 to 5 units of autologous blood.

Current research on the immunomodulatory effect of allogeneic blood transfusion.

This review summarizes three aspects of current research on the immunomodulatory effect of allogeneic transfusion. Representatives of three laboratories-each of which is actively engaged in research on transfusion-induced immunomodulation-summarize their current investigative approach. First, current animal models of transfusion-induced immunomodulation are presented and research on the tumor growth-promoting effect of allogeneic transfusion is described. Second, mechanisms underlying an immunomodulatory effect of transfusion are summarized and experiments on the induction of transplant tolerance by selective introduction of donor-type MHC antigens is presented. Third, the potential clinical impact of increased infection and tumor recurrence resulting from transfusion-induced immunomodulation is assessed. The potential role of donor-derived hematopoietic stem cells is presented as an area of future investigation in the area of transfusion-induced immunomodulation.

Leukodepleted-ABO-identical blood components in the treatment of hematologic malignancies: a cost analysis.

To assess the effect of ABO-identical, filtration leukodepleted transfusions on resource consumption and costs of care we performed a cohort study in consecutive adult patients admitted for induction therapy of acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia during 1985-92 (n = 120) and consecutive adult patients admitted for autologous bone marrow transplantation for Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma during 1989-1991 in our university hospital. Patients with acute leukemia received either ABO unmatched, unfiltered transfusions (1985-89), ABO identical, unfiltered transfusions (1987-90), or ABO identical, filtered transfusions (1990-92). Patients with lymphoma received either ABO unmatched, unfiltered transfusions (1989-90) or ABO identical, filtered transfusions (1990-91). Mean platelet transfusion requirements per patient decreased with ABO identical platelets and filtered transfusions: from 143 to 71 units in the transplant setting; from 146 to 83 in acute leukemia (P < 0.05). Mean hospital ancillary service charges in 1992 dollars decreased with ABO identical platelets and filtered transfusions approximately $14,000 per patient for acute leukemia and $26,000 for for lymphoma. Per patient actual costs for filters ($643 in transplantation for lymphoma and $875 in leukemia) were offset by savings in actual blood component purchase costs alone ($4,127 in lymphoma and $3,283 in leukemia). In our setting, introduction of ABO identical platelets and filtration leukodepletion were implemented with substantial decreases in costs.

Anomalous ABO inheritance explained by ovum transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Modern fertilization techniques can lead to unexpected ABO phenotypes in newborn infants and can raise questions as to maternity, paternity, and infant misidentification. Ovum transplantation can result in an infant with an ABO phenotype that is unexpected, given the birth mother's ABO type. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A group AB, Rh-positive female infant was born to a group O, Rh-positive woman as a result of ovum transplantation. The case report is provided. RESULTS: The birth mother typed group O, Rh-positive both before and after delivery. The infant typed group AB, Rh-positive on cord blood and heelstick specimens. CONCLUSION: Ovum transplantation can result in newborns whose ABO phenotypes are unexpected, in relation to the birth mother's ABO type. To ensure patient privacy, such fertilization techniques may not be clearly documented in the delivery room chart. A complete obstetric history helps prevent repeat phlebotomies, expensive and unnecessary typing studies, and concern of the clinical staff with possible sample or infant misidentification.

Leukocyte-reduced transfusions of ABO-identical platelets and clinical outcome in autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoma.

In observational studies, use of ABO-identical platelets and leukocyte-reduced blood components have been associated with prolonged survival and reduced morbidity in acute leukemia. We present an analysis of the clinical results of instituting a policy of ABO-identical, leukoreduced transfusions in adult patients with lymphoma undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation. Consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were treated with a BEAC conditioning regimen. The use of ABO-identical platelets and leukoreduction of blood components was associated with reductions in mean number of days with fever > or = 38.5 degrees C (17 vs 10), number of days of antibiotics (34 vs 22) and numbers of days until recovery of neutrophil count > or = 500 x 10(6)/l (26 vs 18). Use of leukoreduced transfusions was the only statistically significant treatment factor predicting more rapid neutrophil engraftment. No significant difference in event-free or overall survival was observed. The differences in morbidity were not explained by variations in supportive care such as use of hematopoietic growth factors, use of peripheral blood stem cells or by any measures of pretransplant disease extent or severity. While conclusions based on cohort studies must be viewed conservatively, these data are consonant with observations from previous animal models and clinical studies. ABO-identical platelet transfusions and leuko-reduction are associated with reduced morbidity in patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoma.

Use of single donor platelets.

Advances in apheresis technology have made single donor platelets easier to obtain and therefore more plentiful. There are some hypothesized advantages to single donor platelets including reduced disease transmission, reduced alloimmunization, and superior function and storage characteristics. These ideas have swayed some to insist that single donor platelets should become the routine platelet transfusion component. While support exists for some of these benefits, there is no consensus that the risks to donors, the difficulties of setting up a program, and the expenses are sufficiently outweighed that the conversion of blood banks to a single donor platelet supply is merited. The major advantage to single donor platelets is that the selection of certain donor characteristics, such as HLA compatibility, is facilitated since a total dose of platelets is coming from one donor.

An unusual case of splenic abscess and sepsis in an immunocompromised host.

Lactobacilli are important members of the vaginal, gastrointestinal, and oral flora in humans. Although these organisms are usually innocuous, increasing numbers of serious infections attributable to these bacilli have recently been reported. The authors report an unusual case of a patient presenting with a splenic abscess and sepsis resulting from lactobacilli and review the literature describing serious infections caused by these organisms.