Researchers Tap into a New and Potentially Better Source of Platelets for Transfusion; Data Presented in Journal of Experimental Medicine
EurekAlert -- Clot-forming blood cells, or platelets, can drop to dangerously low levels in diseases such as anemia and in patients undergoing chemotherapy. To replace these critical cells, doctors filter platelets from donated blood, but this approach can increase the risk of transmitting blood infections and cause other side effects in patients who need frequent transfusions.