Graft-versus-host disease from leukocyte transfusions

Transfusion of blood products containing immunocompetent lymphocytes may cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in immunosuppressed recipients. We describe fatal GVHD which occurred in a 30-year-old renal transplant patient 2 weeks after transfusion of 1.0 x 10(8) lymphocytes/kilogram. In addition to typical cutaneous and gastrointestinal manifestations, she developed irreversible bone marrow failure. Acute GVHD following blood product transfusion from normal donors has a mortality of 88%. Treatment is unsatisfactory, but irradiation of blood products prior to administration is preventive.