Transfusion-related acute lung injury secondary to biologically active mediators

Transfusion-related acute lung injury is seen following the transfusion of blood components. The reported incidence is approximately 1 in 2000 transfu sions. Clinically, it is similar to adult respiratory distress syndrome. Th e pathophysiology is unclear but has been attributed to HLA antibodies, gra nulocyte antibodies, and more recently to biologically active mediators in stored blood components. We report a case with laboratory evidence that sup ports the role of biologically active mediators in the pathogenesis of tran sfusion-related acute lung injury. To our knowledge, the case reported here is the first to use lipid extractions of patient samples to determine that lipid-priming activity was present at the time transfusion-related acute l ung injury was identified clinically.