Role of therapeutic apheresis in infectious and inflammatory diseases: Current knowledge and unanswered questions
Author Department
Pathology
Document Type
Article, Peer-reviewed
Publication Date
10-2015
Abstract
Apheresis can remove pathogens and mediators that contribute to pathogenic inflammatory responses in diseases not generally considered to be "Hematologic." Erythrocytapheresis can remove intracellular pathogens such as Babesiosis. Plasmapheresis can remove mediators of the inflammatory response in conditions such as sepsis, chronic autoimmune urticaria and malignant pertussis. Leukapheresis can remove potentially harmful leukocytes in Crohn's Disease and malignant pertussis. While apheresis can remove all of these substances, the clinical efficacy and pathophysiologic changes that occur during apheresis in these conditions are largely unknown. Hence, the clinical utility of apheresis in these conditions is largely unknown and research in these areas has the potential to benefit many patients with a variety of diseases.
Recommended Citation
Sloan SR, Andrzejewski C Jr, Aqui NA, Kiss JE, Krause PJ, Park YA. Role of therapeutic apheresis in infectious and inflammatory diseases: Current knowledge and unanswered questions. J Clin Apher. 2015 Oct;30(5):259-64.
PMID
25351167