graft versus host disease


graft ver·sus host dis·ease (GVHD),

an incompatibility reaction (that may be fatal) in a subject (host) of low immunologic competence who has been the recipient of immunologically competent lymphoid tissue from a donor who is immunologically different from the recipient; the reaction, or disease, is the result of action of the transplanted cells against those host tissues that possess an antigen not found in the donor. Seen most commonly following bone marrow transplantation, acute disease is seen after 7-30 days and chronic disease weeks to months after transplantation, affecting, principally, the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and skin. Synonym(s): GVH disease

Graft versus host disease

A life-threatening complication of bone marrow transplants in which the donated marrow causes an immune reaction against the recipient's body.Mentioned in: Bone Marrow Transplantation