Munich Personal RePEc Archive (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich) · 1976 · 23 citations · 0 references
ImmunohematologyBloodcomponent Replacement TherapyImmunologyPathologyImmunotherapyBlood TransfusionHematologyHost OrgansGraft SurvivalCell TransplantationHealth SciencesGraft-versus-host DiseaseTransplantationMarrow TransplantationAutoimmune DiseaseTransfusion MedicineBlood TransfusionsAutoimmunityGraft RejectionBlood TransplantationTransplant ImmunologyMedicineLittle Known Complication
A case of fatal graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following blood transfusions is reported. This relatively rare complication of blood and bloodcomponent replacement therapy may occur in recipients with decreased cellular immunity, which may be due to the underlying disease, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or a combination of both. GvHD is a result of active proliferation of transfused immunologically competent cells which attack host organs. This complication can be prevented by irradiating transfusions with 1500 rads in vitro.