Effects of Single Plasma Exchange and Double Filtration Plasmapheresis (DFPP) on Peripheral Lymphocyte Phenotypes in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy

CIDP, a rare disorder affecting young adults, causes gradual weakness of the limbs, areflexia and impaired sensory function. New CIDP phenotypes without antibodies but with modified cell profiles have been described. Treatments include corticotherapy, IVIg and plasmapheresis but the latter\'s action mechanisms remain unclear. Plasmapheresis supposedly removes toxic agents like antibodies from plasma but it is uncertain whether it has an immune-modulating effect. Also, the refining mechanisms of the two main plasmapheresis techniques - single plasma exchange and double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) - are different and unclear. This study aims to compare the evolution of peripheral lymphocyte profiles in patients with CIDP according to their treatment (single centrifugation plasmapheresis or DFPP) to better grasp the action mechanisms of both techniques.