Allogeneous hematogenic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative therapeutic strategy for numerous benign and malignant hematologic diseases. The transplantation procedure is characterized by significant physical, social and psychological stressors, especially for the graft recipient. This can lead to depression and anxiety. Every HSCT represents a potential risk for transmission of known and unknown diseases. Hematologically transmissible diseases of the donor therefore are considered a contraindication. Recent animal experiments have demonstrated that psychiatric diseases can transmitted via HSCT from donor to recipient. So far there are no such observations in human patients.

Here we report the case of a 33 year old male patient who, because of a rare chronic hypoplastic congenital aenemia, underwent HSCT. The BM donor was the brother of the patient and suffered from recurrent depressive disorder. Because of the short stature resulting from his underlying hematologic disease the patient had been in psychotherapy form several years. Depressive episodes had not been observed during this time. 10 weeks post HSCT the patient experienced a depressed mood and recurring anxiety attacs. The initiation of antidpressant medication was considered but not started due to the mild symptomatology.

While depressive symptoms after HSCT are not infrequent because of the multiple stressors outlined above, we argue that in the light of the recent animals studies on the transmission of psychiatric disease via hematopoeitic stem cells in the present constellation a hematologic transmission of the mood disorder can also be condsidered.

Acknowledment: To the colleagues of the Department of Pediatrics.