Allergen SCIT and plasma donation
Question:
1/11/2018
From an immunologic standpoint, is there any reason why a patient who is receiving SCIT injections cannot donate plasma? Would donating plasma reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy desensitization? My initial thought is no. Mild, temporary reductions of leukocytes would not alter the effects of immunotherapy, but I have not been able to find a concrete answer. The only remotely similar information I found was:
"Clinically significant immunodeficiency is unlikely to occur unless donors lose > 1 x 10(11) lymphocytes within a few weeks period of time or unless donor lymphocyte counts fall persistently to < 0.5 x 10(9)/L." Strauss, RG. J Clin Apher. 1994;9(2):130-4.
Answer:
We asked Dr. Richard Lockey about your interesting question. His response was that there is no reason not to donate but he recommended against donating on the day the patient received an injection.
I hope this answer is helpful to you.
Jacqueline A. Pongracic, MD, FAAAAI