Apheresis to Obtain Plasma or White Blood Cells for Laboratory Studies
Apheresis to Obtain Plasma or White Blood Cells for Laboratory Studies
This study will collect blood plasma and white blood cells for laboratory research using a
 procedure called apheresis. Apheresis is a method of collecting larger quantities of certain
 blood components than can safely be collected through a simple blood draw.

 Patients 7 years of age and older with a parasitic infection or condition associated with a
 parasitic infection (i.e., elevated levels of IgE antibodies or of a type of white cell
 called eosinophils) who are currently enrolled in a NIH clinical research protocol may be
 eligible for this study. Relatives of patients and normal healthy volunteers will also be
 enrolled. Candidates will have a medical history, physical examination and blood tests.
 Individuals weighing less than 25 kilograms (55 pounds) may not participate.

 Participants will undergo one of the following two apheresis procedures:

 -  Automated pheresis Whole blood is drawn through a needle placed in an arm vein and
 circulated through a cell separator machine. The plasma (liquid part of the blood) and
 white cells are extracted, and the red cells are re-infused into the donor through a
 needle in the other arm. The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours.

 -  Manual pheresis Whole blood is drawn through a needle placed in an arm vein and
 circulated through the cell separator machine. The red blood cells are separated from
 the rest of the blood and returned to the donor through the same needle. Usually only
 one needle stick is required and the procedure takes from 30 to 45 minutes. This method
 is used only in individuals who weigh less than 35 kg (77 pounds).
In order to carry out in vitro research procedures on the plasma or leukocyte components of
 blood, it is often necessary to obtain larger quantities of plasma and/or leukocytes, than
 can be safely obtained by simple phlebotomy. These components can be easily and safely
 obtained using apheresis procedures in the Clinical Center Apheresis Unit. This protocol is
 specifically designed to conform to the requirements of the Apheresis Unit for donors to have
 apheresis procedures (>7 years of age and greater than or equal to 25kg). Donors must first
 be admitted to another approved clinical research protocol of the LPD, NIAID before they may
 have the apheresis procedures described in this protocol. The investigational nature of the
 studies in which the samples will be used, as well as the risks and benefits of the donation
 process will be explained to all donors, and a signed informed consent document will be
 obtained.
-  INCLUSION CRITERIA:

 -  Enrolled on another LPD protocol.

 -  Weight greater than or equal to 25 kg

 -  Willingness to participate

 EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

 -  Age less than 7 years

 -  Weight less than 25 kg

 -  Cardiovascular instability

 -  Hct less than 30

 -  Inadequate venous access

 -  PTT or PT greater than 1.5 normal

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Women who are actively breastfeeding

 -  Other condition which the attending physician or Apheresis Unit staff considers a
 contraindication to the procedure

 -  For Hetastarch procedure

 -  Hypertension

 -  Evidence of fluid retention