Heart 1998;80:211-212 ( September )
Editorial
Transfusion associated graft versus host disease and its prevention
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Transfusion
associated graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD) is a rare but lethal
complication of transfusion,1 generally associated with
immunosuppressed patients. As described in the case report in this
issue,2 however, the condition can occur in fully
immunocompetent individuals, with the onset of symptoms usually 1-2
weeks after transfusion. Patients experience the classic features of
GVHD: skin rash, diarrhoea, fever, and hepatitic liver damage with or
without jaundice. What makes TA-GVHD so devastating is the involvement
of the bone marrow, with severe hypoplasia leading to profound
pancytopenia. The disease then follows a downhill course with death,
usually caused by infection, in more than 90% of cases. Once
established, the condition is not amenable to treatment. Fortunately,
it appears to be entirely preventable if cellular blood components (red
cells and platelets) are 
irradiated before transfusion. This is
currently performed only for patients deemed at particular risk of
TA-GVHD; however, recognition and reporting
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[Abstract] [Full Text] -
GHREW, M H, RINGROSE, T, YOUNG, D, PETO, T
(1999). Transfusion associated graft versus host disease. Heart
82: 255-256
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