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Increase in allergy following donor lymphocyte infusions

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 37, pages 983–984 (2006)Cite this article

Development of atopy following bone marrow transplantation is recognized in the literature, although predominantly restricted to case reports. The principal mechanism suggested for this has been transfer of mature memory B cells with the graft,1 although one paper postulates that the transplant procedure itself can contribute or be solely responsible.2 We report the case of a patient who was not atopic but developed multiple allergies after bone marrow transplantation from an atopic sibling, with worsening allergy symptoms following donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). The phenomenon of worsening allergy symptoms with DLI has not been reported previously.

A 41-year-old lady underwent reduced-intensity bone marrow transplantation following relapse of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (follicle centre cell lymphoma stage IIIA). Three years previously, she had been treated with six cycles of CHOP (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine and Prednisolone). After relapse, she was treated with three cycles of CVEP (Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Etoposide and Prednisolone) and Rituximab, which had resulted in clinical remission. The donor was her human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical brother. Before developing lymphoma, she had been well with no history of atopy or allergy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Immunology, Kings College Hospital, London, UK

    P F K Yong, D Grosse-Kreul, J Maher & M A A Ibrahim

  2. Department of Haematological Medicine, Kings College Hospital, London, UK

    S Devereux & A Pagliuca

Authors
  1. P F K Yong
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  2. D Grosse-Kreul
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  3. S Devereux
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  4. A Pagliuca
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  5. J Maher
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  6. M A A Ibrahim
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Correspondence to M A A Ibrahim.

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Yong, P., Grosse-Kreul, D., Devereux, S. et al. Increase in allergy following donor lymphocyte infusions. Bone Marrow Transplant 37, 983–984 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705363

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