Transfusion-associated Graft-versus-Host Disease (TA-GVHD) is a big deal. In this episode, hear why we should be looking for TA-VGHD in unexpected places!

Dr. Chaffin headshot

Dr. Joe Chaffin

Joined by co-host Dr. Heidi Shafi from Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, I take a detailed look at Transfusion-associated Graft-vs-Host Disease (TA-GVHD). This transfusion complication is by far one of the most dangerous, fatal in over 90% of cases. Blood bankers have known about TA-GVHD for many, many years, and most of us thought we had a pretty good idea of why it occurred.

Unexpected Cases

However, a paper from authors in Canada published in July 2015 (see below for reference) summarizing all of the published reports of this deadly complication makes us wonder if we really do understand this devastating complication as well as we believed. In this episode, I start from the basics and outline the details of TA-GVHD, and discuss the implications of the information found in the review mentioned above.

For More Details…

Note that I don’t discuss the details of irradiation that much in this episode. For more on irradiation and how it works, please check out my discussion on irradiation with Chris Tormey in episode 074 of this podcast, as well as my “Ten Minute Tutorial” video on irradiation.

Dr. Chaffin headshot

Dr. Joe Chaffin

Joined by co-host Dr. Heidi Shafi from Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, I take a detailed look at Transfusion-associated Graft-vs-Host Disease (TA-GVHD). This transfusion complication is by far one of the most dangerous, fatal in over 90% of cases. Blood bankers have known about TA-GVHD for many, many years, and most of us thought we had a pretty good idea of why it occurred.

Unexpected Cases

However, a paper from authors in Canada published in July 2015 (see below for reference) summarizing all of the published reports of this deadly complication makes us wonder if we really do understand this devastating complication as well as we believed. In this episode, I start from the basics and outline the details of TA-GVHD, and discuss the implications of the information found in the review mentioned above.

For More Details…

Note that I don’t discuss the details of irradiation that much in this episode. For more on irradiation and how it works, please check out my discussion on irradiation with Chris Tormey in episode 074 of this podcast, as well as my “Ten Minute Tutorial” video on irradiation.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed on this episode are those of my guest and I alone, and do not reflect those of the organizations with which either of us is affiliated. Neither Dr. Shafi nor I have any relevant financial disclosures.

Normal response after transfusion (1)
Normal response after transfusion (2)
Normal response after transfusion (3)
Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease
TA-GVHD sequence
Irradiation diagram
One-way HLA match (1)
One-way HLA match (2)
One-way HLA match (3)
One-way HLA match (4)

Time-Stamped Notes

  • 01:40: Meet the new co-host, Dr. Heidi Shafi!
  • 05:15: The “Ask BBGuy” Question for this episode
  • 06:45: What is “graft-versus-host disease?”
  • 08:20: Requirements for GVHD
  • 12:25: TA-GVHD: How is it different from “regular” GVHD?
  • 22:08: Normal interactions between transfused and host T-lymphocytes (Soldiers and Pac-men)
  • 25:20: What goes wrong in TA-GVHD?
  • 31:25: Who is at-risk for TA-GVHD?
  • 45:10: Other categories potentially at-risk
  • 50:15: TA-GVHD treatment and grim prognosis
  • 53:05: What’s the deal with irradiation?
  • 56:05: Irradiation changes to product expiration time
  • 57:20: Which products need irradiation?
  • 58:55: Why isn’t leukocyte reduction enough?
  • 61:30: Pathogen reduction benefit for preventing TA-GVHD
  • 62:45: Discussion of Kopolovic article listed below

Further Reading:

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