Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease

Article Abstract:

Graft-versus-host disease is a reaction that commonly occurs following a bone marrow transplant but usually goes undetected following a blood transfusion or organ transplant. The usual signs and symptoms of this disease are fever, skin rash, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and watery or bloody diarrhea, which may be distinguished from a drug reaction or viral infection. Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease is severe and usually fatal. The transfer of T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, from a donor with a competent immune system to a recipient who is immunodeficient or whose blood is incompatible is considered the cause of this disease. The most successful method of preventing this disease is irradiation of blood to deplete T lymphocytes before transfusion. Prevention of this disease is necessary since attempts at treatment have been unsuccessful. The equipment needed to perform the irradiation procedures is expensive (approximately $50,000), which may prevent widespread use. An alternate method of prevention is removal of lymphocytes from blood products before transfusion. The costs of providing irradiated blood products will have to be weighed against the risk of contracting the disease and the medical costs of treatment of the disease. Increased recognition of the disease and categorization of patients at risk are needed. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prevention, Blood, Exchange transfusion, Whole blood, Whole blood exchange transfusion

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Brief report: graft-versus-host disease associated with transfusion of blood from unrelated HLA-homozygous donors

Article Abstract:

A 60-year-old man died of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after receiving a blood transfusion from an unrelated donor who had a similar HLA antigen profile. GVHD is a reaction following an organ transplant in which immune cells in the transplanted organ attack the recipient's tissues. He had been diagnosed with squamous-cell lung cancer and the chemotherapy he received made his white blood cell count drop. He was given several units of red blood cells and platelets and developed signs of GVHD 12 days later. Despite treatment with corticosteroids, he eventually died. Prior to his death, blood typing revealed that his HLA antigen profile was identical to one of his donor's HLA antigen profiles. This patient probably developed GVHD because his body did not reject the donor's blood cells, which became incorporated into his own blood stream. Blood typing showed that many of his white blood cells had come from the donor.

Causes of, Blood transfusion

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Recent advances in Dermatology

Article Abstract:

Advances in the treatment of acne vulgaris, psoriasis, warts, skin cancer, mycosis fungoides, AIDS-associated infections, and impetigo are described.

Care and treatment, Skin diseases

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