A case of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease not prevented by white cell-reduction filters

Transfusion. 1992 Feb;32(2):169-72. doi: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1992.32292180149.x.

Abstract

A case of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is reported. The patient, a 67-year-old woman, was diagnosed as having diffuse, mixed type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, at clinical stage IIIA. She was treated with combination chemotherapy and received multiple blood transfusions for anemia and thrombocytopenia. Although white cells (WBCs) were reduced in the transfused components by WBC-reduction filters, the patient developed TA-GVHD that was confirmed by skin biopsy. It is suggested that the WBC reduction attained with these filters does not prevent TA-GVHD in immunocompromised patients. It is recommended that all blood components should be irradiated before transfusion to such patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Cell Separation
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / prevention & control
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Count*
  • Leukocytes / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / blood
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / pathology
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / therapy*
  • Platelet Count*
  • Transfusion Reaction*

Substances

  • Hemoglobins