Scribd
Upload
364 views

Graft VS. Host Disease: By: Kaylee Blankenship

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) occurs when donor immune cells from a bone marrow or stem cell transplant attack the recipient's body. It is a common complication that affects the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. There are two types - acute GVHD develops within 3 months and has a swift onset requiring quick treatment, while chronic GVHD occurs beyond 100 days with a more gradual onset. Treatment focuses on immunosuppressant drugs to weaken the donor immune response.

Uploaded by

Kaylee Blankenship
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
364 views

Graft VS. Host Disease: By: Kaylee Blankenship

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) occurs when donor immune cells from a bone marrow or stem cell transplant attack the recipient's body. It is a common complication that affects the skin, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. There are two types - acute GVHD develops within 3 months and has a swift onset requiring quick treatment, while chronic GVHD occurs beyond 100 days with a more gradual onset. Treatment focuses on immunosuppressant drugs to weaken the donor immune response.

Uploaded by

Kaylee Blankenship
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 14

Graft VS.

Host Disease
By: Kaylee Blankenship

What is it?
Occurs after a bone marrow or
stem cell transplant in which a
person receives bone marrow
tissue or cells from a donor
(allogeneic)
Common and serious
complication
Approximately 20%- 50% of
those who receive a bone marrow
transplant from a matched related
donor develop GVHD.
The risk is higher than in older
adults and those with unrelated
or mismatched donors.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Development of GVHD
happens in 3 phases:
Phase 1: activation of
antigen-presenting cells
(APCs)
Phase 2: donor T-cell
activation, proliferation,
differentiation and migration
Phase 3: target tissue
destruction

Acute vs. chronic


Acute:

Occurs during the first 3 months


after the transplant
Affects 3 systems in the body: the
skin, liver and GI tract
Mild, serious, or even fatal
Onset is swift and requires quick
detection and aggressive treatment

Chronic:

Occurs beyond the first 100 days


after treatment
Onset is usually more gradual
Affects the skin, eyes, mouth, and
liver. May also affect the lungs,
heart, GI tract, vaginal lining,
muscles, connective tissue, and
immune system
Mild and rarely fatal

Clinical
manifestations
Atrophic and
Pigmentary Changes

Acute:

Abdominal pain/cramps
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Jaundice
Skin rash/redness, itching

Chronic:

Dry eyes/vision changes


Dry mouth, white patches
Fatigue, muscle weakness, chronic
pain
Joint pain and stiffness
Skin rash and raised, discolored
areas of skin
SOB
Vaginal dryness
Weightloss

Keratoconjunctiva sicca

Diagnosis
Clinical assessment
CBC
Liver function tests
(AST, ALT, alkaline
phosphatase, total
protein, and albumin)
Electrolytes
Hepatic and Doppler
Sonography
Biopsy of affected area

Treatment
The main treatment is to give
MEDICATION that weaken the
new donors immune system that
the patient received during
transplant and allow the T cells to
function normally.
Medications include:
immunosuppressants,
immunomodulating agent,
photoactive agents, and
antineoplastics, topical steroids.
The most common
immunosuppressants are:

Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus
Prednisone
Mycophenolate Mofetil

Role of Nurses
Infection: leading cause of
death in patients with GVHD.
Care of central venous access
device
Skin & wound care (topical
ointments)
Diet: gut rest and
hyperalimentation. Anorexia
is common
Activity as tolerated. Mild-tomoderate for those with
chronic GVHD
Emotional Support for patient
& family

Questions
What are some of the first clinical signs and symptoms
of GVHD? (select all that apply)
A. Skin rash
B. Painful urination
C. Jaundice
D. Diarrhea
E. Tachycardia

Questions
What are some of the first clinical signs and symptoms
of GVHD? (select all that apply)
A. Skin rash
B. Painful urination
C. Jaundice
D. Diarrhea
E. Tachycardia

Questions
What differentiates acute GVHD from chronic
GVHD? (select all that apply)
A. Pathophysiology
B. Mortality outcomes
C. Onset of symptoms
D. Treatment options
E. Systems that are affected

Questions
What differentiates acute GVHD from chronic
GVHD? (select all that apply)
A. Pathophysiology
B. Mortality outcomes
C. Onset of symptoms
D. Treatment options
E. Systems that are affected

Questions
What is the most common treatment for GVHD?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Immunoglobins
C. Immunosuppressants
D. Another transplant

Questions
What is the most common treatment for GVHD?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Immunoglobins
C. Immunosuppressants
D. Another transplant

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy