[Genetic diagnosis for post-transfusion graft-versus-host disease using PCR amplification of variable number of...

Post-transfusion graft-versus-host disease (PT-GVHD) is a potentially fatal adverse reaction to blood transfusion with a mortality rate of 95 percent or higher. We previously developed a definitive diagnostic test for PT-GVHD using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of highly polymorphic microsatellite repeat sequences. The results show the replacement of patient original DNA types with donor types on development of PT-GVHD. However, samples of patient blood obtained before transfusion are rarely stored until more than 2 weeks after the transfusion when PT-GVHD is usually suspected. On these occasions, we analyzed PCR amplified fragments of DNA extracted from fingernail clippings to determine the patient original DNA types. As a rapid and easily method, this system could be a useful tool for the clinical diagnosis of PT-GVHD.