A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR RED-BLOOD-CELL REMOVAL IN MAJOR ABO-INCOMPATIBLE BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

A simple technique for red blood cell (RBC) removal in major ABO-incom patible bone marrow transplantation is reported requiring two centrifu gation steps, special blood bags and a mechanical device to separate t he buffy coat from RBCs within the bag. In 42 transplantations an aver age of 84% of nucleated cells was recovered with an average contaminat ion of 7.5 ml packed RBCs. The preparations were well tolerated in all patients whose isoagglutinin titers had not been reduced, Bone marrow engraftment was not significantly different from control groups.