Effect of Early Cross Transfusion on X-Irradiation Disease

Abstract

Of 25 adult mongrel dogs, exposed to a standard single dose of total-body X-irradiation of 450 r (approx. LD90-100), 6 were subjected to a single cross transfusion from nonirradiated donors for approx. 2 hrs., within 4 hrs. after irradiation. A quantity of blood equal to the body wt. of the recipient was exchanged between each pair of animals. 16 out of 19 (84%) X-rayed but not cross-transfused dogs succumbed in 8-25 days after X-irradiation, whereas only 2 of 6 (33%) cross-transfused dogs died 8 days after irradiation. The surviving transfused dogs ate well, were moderately active, and had no diarrhea or evidence of sepsis or hemorrhage. All animals that died in both treated and control groups showed depression of the hemopoietic tissues, widespread hemorrhagic manifestations and, frequently, evidence of sepsis. The occasional surviving control dogs showed cutaneous petechiae and ecchymoses.