BACKGROUND: Routine leukocyte-depletion (LD) of cellular blood products, and even plasma, is currently being implemented in most European countries, as a result of the fear that the variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease (vCJD) might be transmissible by transfusion. However, not only is the scientific evidence supporting such a notion scarce, but the benefits of applying this procedure to all patients also remain unfounded. METHODS: A MEDLINE-research for studies dealing with the indications for LD was performed. In addition, the guidelines and recommendations of national and international health authorities were scrutinized. RESULTS: To date,the only proven benefit of LD that can be applied to all patients is the reduction of non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reactions. In addition, LD reduces HLA-immunization and platelet refractoriness in multi-transfused patients. In immunocompromized patients, LD reduces transfusion-transmitted CMV-disease. Furthermore, a minority of 5-10% of transfusion-related-acute-lung-injury cases can be prevented by LD. However, the potential of reducing the immunomodulating effects of transfusion such as postoperative infection, cancer-recurrence-related or overall mortality and of reducing septicemia due to bacterial contamination is still at issue. AIDS patients do not benefit from LD, at least. The suitability of LD for preventing the transmission of vCJD is at best hypothetical. Potential risks of LD like increased leakages have not been taken into account adequately to date. CONCLUSIONS: At present, the scientific evidence does not justify the introduction of LD as a routine measure. In times of limited health care resources, this costly procedure might limit access to medical services with proven effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, the loss of 5-10% of the red cell pool is predicted to lead to more blood supply shortages than previously seen.
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