What is the impact of irradiation on blood products?

Irradiation of blood products serves a critical role in preventing donor lymphocyte proliferation. This process involves exposing blood components, such as red blood cells and platelets, to gamma or X-ray radiation. The primary purpose is to inactivate any viable lymphocytes present in the transfused blood.

By doing this, irradiation effectively minimizes the risk of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GvHD), a serious condition that can occur when the transfused immune cells recognize the recipient’s tissues as foreign and mount an immune response against them. Consequently, for immunocompromised patients or those undergoing certain medical treatments, irradiated blood components are essential as they preserve the safety and efficacy of transfusions.

While irradiation does not enhance the storage life of blood products or prevent immune reactions directly, it plays a significant role in safeguarding patients who are at high risk for complications from transfusions. It also does not reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections; in fact, measures like viral inactivation are specifically targeted for those concerns.