DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSFUSION-ASSOCIATED GRAFT-VERSUS-HOST DISEASE BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION IN FLUDARABINE-TREATED B-CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC-LEUKEMIA

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 tranfusions with irradiated blood products. This case illustrates that PCR is a rapid technique for the early diagnosis of TA-GVHD.