Graft versus host disease occurring in living donor liver transplant

Abstract

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a serious disease occurring posttransplant. Most cases are seen after hematopoietic bone marrow/stem cell transplantation where the donor cells recognize host antigens and start reacting against them. The initial organs to be involved are skin, gut, and liver. Patients can present with maculopapular rashes, diarrhea, or jaundice. Early diagnosis and timely institution of therapy may salvage these patients. GVHD is rarely also identified in solid organ transplantation seen frequently with small bowel transplantation. Cases of GVHD after liver transplantation are very rare. We herein describe a case of GVHD following a deceased donor liver transplant with a review of pathophysiology of GVHD in liver transplant.

Keywords

• GVHD
• liver
• graft versus host disease
• liver transplant