Graft-versus-host reaction in 3 adult leukaemia patients after transfusion of blood cell products.

We describe 3 cases of acute graft-versus-host (GVH) disease in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia following transfusions taken from non-HLA-identical healthy donors. The leucocyte transfusions were given because of severe bone marrow aplasia and granulocytopenia following leukaemia induction treatment. The first patient had an acute GVH reaction with an erythrodermia-like skin reaction all over and associated with severe abdominal cramping, enlarged liver and pathological liver function tests. The second patient had a relatively mild skin reaction and enlarged liver. Both died of severe pulmonary infection. The third patient also had a mild skin reaction and enlarged liver. He died of pulmonary embolism. The diagnosis of GVH of the latter 2 cases was made on skin biopsy. The autopsy samples revealed in all cases a heavy lymphocytic infiltration of the kidneys and liver portal area. Until more precise guidelines can be established, irradiation of blood cell products given to patients with neutropenia due to leukaemia induction treatment should be considered.