Particle Analysis of Double Filtration Plasmapheresis Eluate: A 2022 Case Study
Read the full publication via the journal website:
Particles in the Eluate from Double Filtration Plasmapheresis — Compounds (2022)
Study Citation
Scholkmann F, Gatti AM. Particles in the Eluate from Double Filtration Plasmapheresis—A Case Study Using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDX). Compounds. 2022;2:367–377.
Study Overview
This 2022 case study by Scholkmann and Gatti investigated the composition of eluate collected following double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), specifically INUSpheresis® using a TKM58 filter. The study used field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDX) to examine whether nano- and microparticles were present in the filtered plasma fraction.
The research was conducted on eluate samples from a single individual and represents an exploratory laboratory analysis rather than a clinical outcome trial.
Study Design and Methods
• Single-subject case study
• Eluate collected from two DFPP sessions (1 day apart)
• Samples analysed using FE-SEM/EDX
• Metal concentrations also assessed via mass spectrometry
The study aimed to characterise the physical and chemical properties of particulate matter present in the eluate.
Key Observational Findings
The authors reported the presence of nano- and microparticles of varying sizes and compositions in the eluate. Identified materials included particles containing:
• Iron (Fe)
• Sodium and chloride (NaCl)
• Calcium (Ca)
• Titanium (Ti)
• Aluminium and silicon (Al/Si compounds)
Elongated thread-like structures were also observed. The origin of some detected structures could not be conclusively determined within the study.
Mass spectrometry analysis detected measurable concentrations of several metals in the eluate, including aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt and lead. Concentrations were generally higher in the first treatment sample compared to the second.
The authors note that the quantity of visible particles did not fully correspond with total metal measurements, suggesting that some metals may have been present as ions or nanoparticles below the detection threshold of the imaging system.
Interpretation and Limitations
This publication was designed as a feasibility case study to demonstrate that FE-SEM/EDX analysis can be applied to eluate from DFPP procedures.
Important limitations include:
• Analysis of a single individual
• Observational design
• No clinical outcome data
• No comparison group
The authors suggest that further research involving larger patient cohorts would be required to determine broader clinical relevance.
This study does not establish therapeutic benefit and does not demonstrate clinical efficacy for any medical condition.
Relevance to Ongoing Research
The authors propose that analysing eluate composition may contribute to understanding how double filtration plasmapheresis alters plasma components. They also suggest that further investigation may clarify whether particle analysis has diagnostic or environmental medicine applications.
Additional controlled studies are required before clinical conclusions can be drawn.