Graft-versus-host disease: Rare complication postliver transplant

Abstract

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following liver transplantation (LT) is an uncommon complication but has high mortality and represents a major diagnostic challenge. A 63-year-old male with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-related decompensated cirrhosis underwent deceased donor LT. His postoperative course was complicated by fever, diarrhea, skin rashes, and pancytopenia. He developed a diffuse erythematous rash, which progressed to erythroderma. Biopsies of the duodenum and skin were consistent with acute GVHD. This was confirmed by chimerism study performed on the bone marrow. The patient was treated with basiliximab, corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate; however, he had minimal response to intensive immunosuppressive therapy. The patient died due to multiorgan failure.

Keywords

• Graft-versus-host disease
• liver transplant
• skin rash