[Post-transfusion graft versus host disease in a patient with Hodgkin's disease]

A female with Hodgkin's disease developed graft versus host disease (GVHD) after the administration of two units of packed red cells. Ten days after the transfusion she developed fever and rash, with subsequent hepatic and intestinal disease and a profound bone marrow aplasia. She died from a Candida tropicalis sepsis. The diagnosis of GVHD was made on the basis of clinical and histological criteria. We review this uncommon complication of hemotherapy, with special emphasis on its differential clinical features and its prevention.