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. 1994 Sep 24;344(8926):855-6.
doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(94)92828-2.

Blood transfusion as a cause of leucocytosis in critically ill patients

J C Fenwick  1 , M Cameron, S C Naiman, L P Haley, J J Ronco, B R Wiggs, M G Tweeddale
Affiliations

Blood transfusion as a cause of leucocytosis in critically ill patients

J C Fenwick et al. Lancet. .

Abstract

The diagnosis of infection in the intensive care unit is confounded by the presence of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis. Unless such causes are recognised, time and effort will be spent on unnecessary investigations and treatments. In a prospective study we have shown that the transfusion of blood frequently (45/50 patients) causes an acute leucocytosis in such patients. This effect was not seen in 8 patients who received plasma. Blood transfusion should be added to the list of non-infectious causes of leucocytosis in the critically ill.

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