X-ray irradiation effectively inactivated lymphocytes in transfusion in vivo monitored by the bioluminescence transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease model.

Background And Objectives: Transfusion of cold-stored whole blood is the preferred resuscitation method for trauma patients but may cause transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD). Standard clinical practice to prevent this is to irradiate blood components with gamma-rays. X-ray irradiations are also a safe and effective alternative to gamma-ray irradiation.