Definitions for "Graft vs. host disease"
This occurs only in an allogeneic transplant, and the risk depends upon the tissue type match of the donor, and whether the blood stem cells are processed to remove cells that may cause GVHD. In GVHD, certain cells from the donor (T cells) may identify cells in the patient’s body (the host) as foreign. The cells are then attacked, damaging organs such as the skin, liver and intestines. To avoid this complication of a BMT, immunosuppressant drugs may be given to suppress the donor’s T cells, or the blood stem cells may be processed to remove T cells.
A potentially fatal complication arising after a transplant wherein the transplant recipient's body recognizes the new stem cells as foreign and attacks them.
relating to the bodily condition that results when cells from a tissue or organ transplant mount an immunological attack against the cells or tissues of the host.