Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is an immune condition that can occur in a patient after he/she has undergone an allogeneic transplant. The immune cells present in the donor’s tissue or the graft attack the host’s tissues. Furthermore, the donated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells view the recipient’s body as foreign, and the donated cells/bone marrow might lead a response against the tissues and organs of the recipient.
This health problem is a side effect that is common after an allogeneic bone marrow transplant or stem cell transplant. An allogeneic transplant is one in which a patient receives bone marrow tissue or cells from a donor.
Thus, this article will deal with the information on the risk factors and effects brought by graft versus host disease. Its definition, types, symptoms as well as the diagnosis and treatments.
GVHD is indeed a very harmful disease if not properly diagnosed. Since a foreign stem cell from the donor is injected into the recipient’s body, it is not quite a surprise if certain effects were to occur.
Since the organs of the recipient are not so familiar with the newly transferred foreign cell so it might react differently, however, this can only happen from few to none with specific conditions. Hence, this article had discussed the after-effects of graft versus host disease after transplantation had been done to the recipient’s body. Its different types, symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and especially the common treatments.
