title: Prevention of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease: selection of an adequate dose of gamma radiation.
abstract: To determine the optimal dose of gamma radiation necessary to inhibit T-lymphocyte function and prevent transfusion-acquired graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), a donor plateletpheresis component was initially divided into ten 20-mL samples. One sample was not irradiated, while the other nine samples were treated with gamma radiation at doses ranging from 500 to 4500 cGy. T-lymphocyte function was subsequently measured by mixed lymphocyte cultures and mitogen stimulation assays. The results were assessed in each test by calculating the percentage of inhibition of each irradiated sample as compared to that of the unirradiated sample. The accuracy of the delivered dose of gamma radiation was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. It was concluded that a nominal dose of 3000 cGy (actual dose delivered, 2898 cGy) is the appropriate amount of gamma radiation needed to eliminate T-lymphocyte-mediated graft-versus-host disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Inc., Indianapolis.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Weidner
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Boldt
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D005720:Gamma Rays; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008934:Mitogens / Q000032:analysis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D008934:Mitogens