Graft-versus-host disease GVHD

• Facts:
  Common after a bone marrow transplant
  
  Up to 50% of patients with bone marrow transplantation from matched siblings develop this disease
  
  Target organs are usually the skin, GI tract, and liver
• History / PE:
  Maculopapular rash involving palms, soles, and face (skin)
  Bloody diarrhea (gastrointestinal tract)
  Abnormal liver tests, jaundice (liver)
• Notes:
  Pathophysiologic mechanism involves recognition of HOST major and minor HLA-anitgens by DONOR T-cells, with consequent cell-mediated immune response