title: Graft-versus-Host Disease in a Dog After Reduced-intensity Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation from a DLA-identical Littermate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is an adverse effect following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in humans. Dogs represent a key model organism for the development of treatment protocols for HSCT. However, detailed descriptions of canine GvHD and its treatment are rare. Herein we describe the development of canine GvHD and therapeutic intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A female Beagle received an allogeneic HSCT from a dog leukocyte antigen-identical littermate (conditioning with 4.5 Gy total body irradiation; immunosuppression with cyclosporine A).
  
  
  RESULTS
  GvHD developed at day +52 and was treated with methylprednisolone, cyclosporine A, antibiotics, antiviral medication and analgesics. The dog initially responded to the treatment but GvHD relapsed twice. Within one week after discontinuation of glucocorticoid, GvHD recurred resulting in inevitable euthanasia of the animal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GvHD represents a life-threatening disease after HSCT in canines. Immediate therapeutic treatment is indicated and even a successful initial treatment response does not necessarily prevent GvHD recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Juliane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lange
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Machka
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Knuebel
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Anett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sekora
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Catrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roolf
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Practice Dr.med.vet. Tito Winkler, Dipl.vet.med. Barbara Richter, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Tido
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Winkler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Murua Escobar
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Clinic III - Hematology/Oncology/Palliative Care, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany christian.junghanss@med.uni-rostock.de.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Junghanss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology*; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine
keywords: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; dogs; graft-versus-host disease