Graft-vs-host disease as a complication of lung transplantation.
We report a rare case of acute graft-vs-host disease (aGVHD) after a lung transplant. The patient presented with advanced disease manifested by skin rash, fever, diarrhea, liver dysfunction and severe pancytopenia. He went on to die of sepsis and multi-organ failure. aGVHD is a disease often confused with drug reactions or viral infection; therefore, it is important to have a high index of suspicion and to confirm the diagnosis early with tests for donor cell chimerism. Effective treatment is elusive but we are learning a great deal about the underlying mechanisms of this disease and hope to develop better treatment.
Smith
Douglas M
DM
Department of Pathology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75246, USA. dsmith@baylorhealth.edu
Agura
Edward D
ED
Ausloos
Ken
K
Ring
W Steves
WS
Domiati-Saad
Rana
R
Klintmalm
Goran B
GB
D046528:Chimerism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D014019:Tissue Donors