M. Briz et al., DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSFUSION-ASSOCIATED GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION IN FLUDARABINE-TREATED B-CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA, British Journal of Haematology, 91(2), 1995, pp. 409-411
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), has rarely
been reported associated with B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL)
. We report a patient diagnosed with B-CLL, previously treated with fl
udarabine, who developed TA-GVHD after being transfused during surgery
for splenectomy. Diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) detection of donor DNA in the patient, by amplification of Y-ch
romosome sequence and analysis of minisatellite polymorphisms. B-CLL p
atients treated with fludarabine appear to be at risk for TA-GVHD and
should be regarded as candidates for tranfusions with irradiated blood
products. This case illustrates that PCR is a rapid technique for the
early diagnosis of TA-GVHD.