Media Release

Udupi, Oct 12: Granulocyte collection and Transfusion has been started at Kasturba Hospital Manipal. It is yet another lifesaving blood product. A young patient undergoing chemotherapy developed severe bacterial sepsis and it was not responding to any antibiotics. As the only option was to transfuse granulocytes in controlling the life threatening infection, a multidisciplinary team of Kasturba Hospital undertook the procedure. Timely transfusion of granulocytes helped in controlling the infection. Granulocytes or white blood cells help body in fighting against the external infectious agents like bacteria and viruses.

‘Granulocyte transfusion is lifesaving in certain conditions like in some patients where they have low white blood cell count body cannot fight against the infectious agents leading to a condition called ‘neutropenic sepsis’ and in patients with multi drug resistant infections (infections not cured by antibiotics)’ said Paediatric Oncologist of Kasturba Hospital Dr Vasudev Bhat.

“Granulocytes are collected by Apheresis technique from a very well-motivated donors following mobilization of cells with a single dose of G-CSF approximately 12 hours before granulocyte collection. Like platelet donation by apheresis, a healthy person can donate white blood cells and the procedure takes around 2 hours,” said Dr Shamee Shastry, professor and head of Transfusion Medicine. Dr Kalashekhar, Pediatric Oncologist and Dr. Ganesh Mohan, assistant professor of Transfusion Medicine were involved in patient management.

Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, emphasized that this treatment modality offers a multi-faceted options to the patients and it will be available to the patients from now onwards.

Dr Poonima Baliga, pro-vice chancellor of MAHE and Dr Sharath K Rao, dean of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, appreciated the efforts of the multidisciplinary team.