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How can leukocyte-reduced blood components lower some transfusion risks?

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Close-up illustration of multiple human red blood cells with their characteristic disc shape, floating against a red background. — blood group The major component of human blood is the red blood cell.

Leukocyte reduction, or leukoreduction, is the process of removing white blood cells (leukocytes) from blood components using a filter. This practice helps lower several transfusion-related risks:1

Febrile Reactions: It prevents febrile (fever) reactions in patients who have experienced multiple such reactions in the past, which are typically caused by sensitivity to white blood cell antigens.12
Viral Transmission: Leukoreduced components may decrease the risk of transmitting cytomegalovirus and other strictly cell-associated viruses.1
Alloimmunization: It reduces the risk of the recipient developing antibodies (immunization) against white cell and platelet antigens.1
Immunosuppression: The process may help reduce the potential immunosuppressive effects sometimes associated with blood transfusions.1

By removing these cells, medical providers can improve the safety of transfusion therapy for patients who are particularly susceptible to immune-mediated complications.12