Vitiligo: an uncommon cutaneous manifestation of graft versus host disease

Abstract

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is the most serious complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Skin is the most commonly affected organ, in both acute and chronic GVHD with a variable clinical spectrum of presentation with the typical skin lesions being either lichenoid or sclerodermatous. Antibodies developing in chronic GVHD act as triggering factors in the development of autoimmune diseases and can manifest as vitiligo that is an autoimmune disease resulting in melanocyte destruction. Vitiligo as sequelae and manifestation of GVHD is infrequently reported in the literature. Herein, we report the case of a lady who developed vitiligo post hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Keywords

• graft versus host disease
• vitiligo