Comparison of different rabbit ATG preparation effects on early lymphocyte subset recovery after allogeneic HSCT and its association with EBV-mediated PTLD.

Purpose: Rabbit antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is commonly used before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) to prevent graft-versus-host disease. Studies comparing the effect of different ATG preparations and dosages on immune reconstitution and risk for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-mediated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) are rare.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we determined T and B cell subsets by flow cytometry after allo-HSCT in children, who received ATG-Genzyme (ATG-G, n = 15), ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F, n = 25) or no-ATG treatment (n = 19).