CD34⁺-enriched donor lymphocyte infusions in a case of pure red cell aplasia and late graft failure after major ABO-incompatible bone marrow transplantation

Abstract

A variety of immunohematological complications may occur after ABO-incompatible BMT. We report a CML patient (blood group O) who received a BMT from an HLA-identical sibling (blood group AB). The transplant was followed by normal myeloid and megakaryocytic engraftment, but erythroblastopenia persisted for more than 200 days after BMT. By bone marrow culture studies, a complement-dependent serum inhibitor of hemopoiesis was detected, suggesting immunological inhibition of erythropoiesis. The patient was resistant to a number of treatments such as intravenous gammaglobulins, prednisolone and high-dose erythropoietin. Full engraftment with normal blood counts and marrow cellularity was achieved after two dose-escalating CD34⁺-enriched donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI). This experience suggests that CD34⁺-enriched DLI may be an effective treatment for patients with delayed engraftment or late graft failure due to major ABO-incompatibility.