Acute graft versus host disease after orthotopic liver transplantation.
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is an uncommon complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with an incidence of 0.1-2%, but an 80-100% mortality rate. Patients can present with skin rashes, diarrhea, and bone marrow aplasia between two to eight weeks after OLT. Diagnosis of GVHD is made based on clinical and histologic evidence, supported by chimerism studies showing donor HLA alleles in the recipient bone marrow or blood. Several therapeutic approaches have been used for the management of GVHD after OLT including increased immunosuppression, decreased immunosuppression, and cellular therapies. However, success rates have been low, and new approaches are needed.
University of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Merkur, Zagreb, Croatia.
Inga Mandac
IM
Rogulj
Joachim
J
Deeg
Stephanie J
SJ
Lee
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011817:Rabbits; D012307:Risk Factors