Diagnosis of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease by polymerase chain reaction in fludarabine-treated B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
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 fludarabine, 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-chromosome sequence and analysis of minisatellite polymorphisms. B-CLL patients treated with fludarabine appear to be at risk for TA-GVHD and should be regarded as candidates for transfusions with irradiated blood products. This case illustrates that PCR is a rapid technique for the early diagnosis of TA-GVHD.
Department of Haematology, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
M
M
Briz
R
R
Cabrera
I
I
Sanjuán
R
R
Forés
J L
JL
Díez
M
M
Herrero
C
C
Regidor
M
M
Algora
M N
MN
Fernández
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014740:Vidarabine; C024352:fludarabine