graft-versus-host disease (reaction)
(GVH disease) a condition that occurs when immunologically competent cells or their precursors are transplanted into an immunocompromised recipient (host) that is not histocompatible with the donor. Because the host is immunocompromised, the graft is not rejected. Immunocompetent
T lymphocytes derived from the donor tissue recognize the recipient's tissue as foreign or
nonself and react with it, producing clinical manifestations including edema, erythema, ulceration, loss of hair, and heart and joint lesions similar to those of connective tissue disorders. This condition is a frequent complication of
bone marrow transplantation.
tissue typing and
hla antigen matching of the donor and recipient reduce the possibility of graft-versus-host disease.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
graft-versus-host disease
(grăft′vûr′səs-hōst′, -səz-)n. A condition in which cells from the transplanted tissue of a donor initiate an immunologic attack on the cells and tissue of the recipient.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
graft-versus-host disease
Clinical immunology A reaction of donated BM against a Pt's own tissue, which is a major cause of M&M in allograft BMTs; GVHD is less significant in transplanted kidneys, heart, liver, and skin; viable donor T cells react immunologically against host Clinical Fever, morbiliform rash–central erythematous maculopapular eruption that may spread to the extremities with bulla formation, anorexia, N&V, severe watery or bloody diarrhea, lymphadenopathy, infections, hepatosplenomegaly, ↑ LFTs, jaundice, hemolytic anemia Prevention Irradiation of donated blood may prevent active leukocytes from rejecting recipient tissues Prophylaxis Cyclosporin, MTX, tacrolimus Treatment1⁄2 of Pts who develop post-BMT GVHD respond to high-dose steroids. See Bone marrow transplantation, Rapamycin, Tacrolimus, Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease. McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
graft-ver·sus-host dis·ease
(GVHD) (graft vĕr'sŭs hōst di-zēz') An incompatibility reaction (which may be fatal) in a subject (host) of low immunologic competence (deficient lymphoid tissue) who has been the recipient of immunologically competent lymphoid tissue from a donor who lacks at least one antigen possessed by the recipient host; the reaction, or disease, is the result of action of the transplanted cells against those host tissues that possess the antigen not possessed by the donor.
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
graft-versus-host disease
A complication usually appearing two to three weeks after a bone marrow transplantation and caused by cytotoxic T cells in the donated marrow graft. These attack the host tissues causing liver inflammation (hepatitis) with obstruction to bile flow, diarrhoea and a severe scaling skin disease called exfoliative dermatitis. Drugs such as CYCLOSPORIN (ciclosporin) and high dose steroids must be used as the condition, once fully established, has a mortality of about 30%.Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005
graft-ver·sus-host dis·ease
(GVHD) (graft vĕr'sŭs hōst di-zēz') An incompatibility reaction (which may be fatal) in a subject (host) of low immunologic competence (deficient lymphoid tissue) who has been the recipient of immunologically competent lymphoid tissue from a donor who lacks at least one antigen possessed by the recipient host; the reaction, or disease, is the result of action of the transplanted cells against those host tissues that possess the antigen not possessed by the donor.
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012