Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease

In hematology, transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD) is a rare complication of blood transfusion, in which the immunologically competent donor T lymphocytes mount an immune response against the recipient's lymphoid tissue. These donor lymphocytes engraft, recognize recipient cells as foreign and mount an immune response against recipient tissues. Donor lymphocytes are usually identified as foreign and destroyed by the recipient's immune system. However, in situations where the recipient is severely immunocompromised, or when the donor and recipient HLA type is similar (as can occur in directed donations from first-degree relatives), the recipient's immune system is not able to destroy the donor lymphocytes. This can result in transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). This is in contrast with organ/tissue transplant-associated GvHD, where matching HLA reduces the incident of the complication.

Signs and symptoms

The clinical presentation is the same as GvHD occurring in other settings, such as bone marrow transplantation. TA-GvHD can develop two days to six weeks after the transfusion. Typical symptoms include:

fever

erythematous maculopapular rash, which can progress to generalised erythroderma

toxic epidermal necrolysis in extreme cases

hepatomegaly

diarrhea

Other symptoms can include cough, abdominal pain, dyspnea and vomiting.

Diagnosis

Laboratory findings include pancytopenia, marrow aplasia, abnormal liver enzymes, and electrolyte imbalance (when diarrhea is present).