What is graft-versus-host disease?
Graft-versus-host disease or GVHD is where the “graft” (the bone marrow you are given) reacts against the “host” (the person receiving the transplant). If a person gets a kidney transplant they can recognize that the kidney is foreign and try to reject it. In a bone marrow transplant it is the bone marrow that has the immune system and the marrow “rejects” the person. There are two distinct clinical patterns to GVHD. The first occurs early (within 100 days) after a bone marrow transplant and is called acute GVHD. This results in damage to the lining of the gut, the liver and the skin. If GVHD occurs later than 100 days it is called chronic GVHD. This is characterized by more scarring. Mouth and skin changes are common as are liver lesions. The mouth may become very dry though lack of saliva and the eyes through lack of tears.
