Leukodepletion of blood products
This report has been compiled by the Committee on New-Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s Disease and Leukodepletion of the Health Council of the Netherlands, in response to a request from the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport regarding the risk of new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob’s disease being passed on in blood or blood products and the precautions necessary to prevent such an eventuality. In particular, the minister wished to know whether leukodepletion — the removal of white blood cells from donated blood — was considered an appropriate precaution. This procedure has been introduced in certain European countries, such as the United Kingdom, to prevent transmission of the disease. The Committee preceeds its answer to the request of the Minister by this report on the general aspects of leukodepletion.
The white blood cells in blood fractions used for transfusion are generally of no therapeutic benefit to the recipient, but could result in (undesirable) immunization against HLA antigens, the transfer of cell-related viruses and the suppression of immune responses. The Committee therefore favours the introduction of leukodepletion for blood products.
The committee recognizes that the research conducted to date has focused on the benefits of leukodepletion for selected patient groups only. In view of this fact and the not inconsiderable cost of leukodepletion, the Committee advises performing an evaluation of the health benefits and cost-effectiveness of using the technique, based on, for example, an intervention study.