Evaluation of a pediatric blood filter for whole blood transfusions in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus).

Abstract

Blood filters that prevent clots, microaggregates, and other debris from being passed from the donor blood into the recipient are an essential component of blood transfusions in mammalian species but have not been consistently recommended in avian transfusions. To evaluate the hemolytic effect of an 18-microm filter in chickens, 9 mL of blood was collected from each of 30 chickens (Gallus gallus) into a syringe containing 1 mL of citrate phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA-1) to obtain a 1:9 dilution of CPDA-1 to blood. One half of each sample was then run through a pediatric blood filter before separating the plasma. The level of hemolysis in both filtered and unfiltered portions was determined by measuring the concentration of free hemoglobin in the plasma. All samples had low hemoglobin concentrations (less than 30 mg/dL) with no significant difference between the unfiltered and filtered portions. Based on these results, an 18-microm blood filter can be used safely for blood transfusions in domestic chickens as it does not cause significant hemolysis.