TRANSFUSION-ASSOCIATED GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE IN AN IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENT FOLLOWING ACCIDENTAL INJURY

We report a case of transfusion-associated graft-vs.-host disease (TA- GVHD) in a previously healthy, 58 year old Japanese man following an a ccidental injury. Despite intensive treatment, the patient died 22 day s after the transfusion. Although many cases of fatal TA-GVHD have bee n reported in immunocompetent patients, only two are known to have dev eloped this disorder unrelated to a surgical procedure. This is the fi rst such case to be confirmed by HLA typing. Our report suggests that TA-GVHD can occur even in a healthy, immunocompetent recipient. Thus, it seems necessary to establish guidelines for the irradiation of cell ular blood products before transfusion.