Methods for removal of leucocytes and platelets prior to study of erythrocyte deformability

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kenny, M.W. | Meakin, M. | Stuart, J.^{; *}

Affiliations: Department of Haematology, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TJ, UK

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to Professor J. Stuart

Note: [] Accepted by: 

Abstract: A gravity filtration technique, using cotton wool from an Imugard IG500 filter, has been developed for removal of leucocytes and platelets from EDTA- or heparin-anticoagulated blood prior to studies of erythrocyte deformability. This technique removed 98.1% of leucocytes and 99.8% of platelets, without causing haemolysis, and was found to be superior to alternative methods of cell removal including centrifugation, column sedimentation, and filtration through cellulose. The erythrocytes recovered after filtration through cotton wool were representative of the original blood sample, as judged by cell size distribution, and there was no selective removal of reticulocytes, irreversibly sickled cells, or Heinz-body containing cells.

Keywords: Blood platelets, Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, Rheology

DOI: 10.3233/CH-1983-3214

Journal: Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 191-200, 1983