The effects of leucocyte depletion on the generation and removal of microvesicles and prion related protein in blood components.

Universal leucodepletion has been implemented in the UK as a precautionary policy aimed at reduction in the risk of variant Creutzfeldtz–Jakob disease transmission by blood components. Although third generation leucocyte filters and platelet apheresis technologies reduce the leucocyte count by a factor of 3–4 log10, the extent to which microvesiculation of red cells, leucocytes and platelets may subvert any potential benefit in terms of prion removal is unclear.