Graft Versus Host Disease Differential Diagnoses

  • Author: Romeo A Mandanas, MD, FACP; Chief Editor: Mary C Mancini, MD, PhD   more...
 
Updated: Oct 28, 2010
 
 

Differential Diagnoses

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Romeo A Mandanas, MD, FACP  Research Site Leader, Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma

Romeo A Mandanas, MD, FACP, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Oklahoma State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Antoni Ribas, MD  Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology, University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Marcel E Conrad, MD  Distinguished Professor of Medicine (Retired), University of South Alabama College of Medicine

Marcel E Conrad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Blood Banks, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Physiological Society, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society of Hematology, Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, and Southwest Oncology Group

Disclosure: No financial interests None None

Chief Editor

Mary C Mancini, MD, PhD  Professor and Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport

Mary C Mancini, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Surgical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and Southern Surgical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  29. Mollee P, Morton AJ, Irving I, et al. Combination therapy with tacrolimus and anti-thymocyte globulin for the treatment of steroid-resistant acute graft-versus-host disease developing during cyclosporine prophylaxis. Br J Haematol. Apr 2001;113(1):217-23. [Medline].

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Autologous graft versus host disease (GVHD) involving the skin of a patient's arm appeared shortly after signs of engraftment appeared. The patient had undergone autologous peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation to treat ovarian cancer. Courtesy of Romeo A. Mandanas, MD, FACP.
Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) involving desquamating skin lesions in a patient after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for myelodysplasia. Courtesy of Romeo A. Mandanas, MD, FACP.
Oral mucosal changes in a patient with chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). Note the skin discoloration (vitiligo), which can be a result of GVHD. Courtesy of Romeo A. Mandanas, MD, FACP.
Interactive factors involved in the pathogenesis of graft versus host disease (GVHD.) Courtesy of Romeo A. Mandanas, MD, FACP.
This boy developed stage III skin involvement with acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) despite of receiving prophylaxis with cyclosporin A. The donor was his HLA-matched sister; the sex disparity increased the risk for acute GVHD. Courtesy of Mustafa S. Suterwala, MD.
Same boy as in previous image progressed to grade IV graft versus host disease (GVHD). High-dose cyclosporin A and methylprednisolone had been administered intravenously. He later died from chronic pulmonary disease due to chronic GVHD. Courtesy of Mustafa S. Suterwala, MD.
Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD). Hematoxylin and eosin–stained tissue shows dyskeratosis of individual keratinocytes and patchy vacuolization of the basement membrane. Moderate superficial dermal and perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate are also observed. Courtesy of Melanie K. Kuechler, MD.
Table 1. Procedures Associated with a High Risk of GVHD*
ProcedureGroups at High Risk
Allogeneic HCTPatients receiving no GVHD prophylaxis



Older patients



Recipients of HLA-nonidentical stem cells



Recipients of graft from allosensitized donors



Recipients of grafts from unrelated donors



Solid-organ transplantation (organs containing lymphoid tissue)Recipients of small-bowel transplants
Transfusion of unirradiated blood productsNeonates and fetuses



Patients with congenital immunodeficiency syndromes



Patients receiving immunosuppressive chemoradiotherapy



Patients receiving directed blood donations from partially HLA-identical, HLA-homologous donors



Table 2. Clinical Staging of Acute GVHD
StageSkin FindingsLiver Findings (Bilirubin level, mg/dL)Gut Findings
+Maculopapular rash on < 25% of body surface2-3Diarrhea 500-1000 mL/d or persistent nausea
++Maculopapular rash on 25-50% of body surface3-6Diarrhea 1000-1500 mL/d
+++Generalized erythroderma6-15Diarrhea >1500 mL/d
++++Desquamation and bullae>15Pain with or without ileus
Table 3. Clinical Grading of Acute GVHD
Overall GradeStage
SkinLiverGutFunctional Impairment
0 (None)0000
I (Mild)+ to ++000
II (Moderate)+ to ++++++
III (Severe)++ to +++++ to +++++ to +++++
IV (Life-threatening)++ to ++++++ to ++++++ to +++++++
Table 4. Clinicopathologic Classification of Chronic GVHD
ClassificationClinicopathology
LimitedLocalized skin involvement and/or hepatic dysfunction due to chronic GVHD
ExtensiveGeneralized skin involvement or localized skin involvement and/or hepatic dysfunction due to chronic GVHD, plus 1 of the following:



- Liver histology showing chronic aggressive hepatitis, bridging necrosis, or cirrhosis



- Involvement of the eye (Schirmer test with < 5-mm wetting)



- Involvement of minor salivary glands or oral mucosa demonstrated on labial biopsy



- Involvement of any other target organ



Table 5. Screening Studies for GVHD by Organ or System
Organ or SystemClinical FindingsScreening Studies
SkinDyspigmentation, xerosis, erythema, scleroderma, onychodystrophy, alopeciaSkin biopsy with a 3-mm punch-biopsy sample from the back and forearm areas
MouthLichen planus, xerostomiaOral biopsy with sample from lower lip
EyesSicca, keratitisSchirmer test
LiverJaundiceAlkaline phosphatase, AST, bilirubin determinations
LungsObstructive and/or restrictive lung diseasePulmonary function studies, arterial blood gas analysis
VaginaSicca, atrophyGynecologic evaluation
GI (nutrition)Protein and calorie deficiencyWeight, measurement of muscle and/or fat stores
Multiple (clinical performance)Contractures, debilityDetermination of Karnofsky score and Lansky play index
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