Prevention of posttransfusion graft-versus-host disease by leukocyte depletion filter

Posttransfusion graft-versus-host disease (PTGVHD) is characterized by a fatal alloimmune reaction induced by donor lymphocytes contaminated in blood products. It is generally accepted that gamma irradiation of the blood products prior to transfusion is a most efficacious and reliable means to prevent this reaction. In contrast, leukocyte reduction by a third generation, high performance filter has been reported to fail the prevention of PTGVHD. With the filter function being considerably improved recently, leukocyte reduction may be an alternative for gamma irradiation to prevent PTGV-HD.