Abstract
Post-transfusion graft-versus-host disease (PT-GVHD) was previously thought to affect only immunocompromised patients. However, it has been found that immunocompetent individuals can also develop PT-GVHD if the donor(s) has one-way matched human leukocyte antigen (HLA) with the recipient. Japanese are known to be at higher risk of PT-GVHD, because there are few HLA haplotypes. The Japan Society of Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy (JSTMCT) issued the first guidelines on the irradiation of blood and blood components to prevent PT-GVHD in 1992, and issued the fifth version of the guidelines in 2010. Since 2000, there have been no cases definitively diagnosed as developing PT-GVHD after transfusions of blood products supplied by the Japanese Red Cross Blood Center. However, it became clear that there were more than a few institutions using non-irradiated blood based on a questionnaire survey of practices in 2007 and 2010 conducted by the JSTMCT. These guidelines seem to be effective in preventing the occurrence of PT-GVHD in Japan. However, there is a concern that recognition of both the severity of PT-GVHD and importance of its prevention has been declining. The occurrence of PT-GVHD after non-irradiated blood transfusion due to the lack of recognition of this disease should be prevented.
