title: Acute graft versus host disease following liver transplantation: the enemy within.
abstract: This article reviews acute graft vs. host disease (GVHD) as a complication of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The incidence, presentation, clinical course and outcome of GVHD after OLT are summarized and the pathogenesis is discussed, drawing parallels with GVHD after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Risk factors for GVHD after OLT are examined and the potential role of donor lymphocyte macrochimerism in the recipient peripheral blood as a diagnostic aid for GVHD is discussed. Finally, treatment of GVHD after OLT is reviewed with particular emphasis on the potential role of some of the newer biological agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: J Andrew
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D018183:Transplantation Chimera; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents