[Transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease in a patient with Hodgkin's disease]

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a serious complication of blood transfusion which is caused by immunocompetent donor lymphocytes reacting against recipient antigens. We report a case of TA-GVHD in a male patient with Hodgkin's disease who had received several units of non-irradiated blood components. TA-GVHD was diagnosed by histological examination of affected skin and demonstration of engrafted lymphocytes of female phenotype by in situ hybridization using a Y-chromosome specific probe. The need to irradiate blood components given to patients in defined risk-groups is stressed.