graft-versus-host disease

Complication of bone-marrow transplant where the grafted bone marrow attacks its host. In its mildest form patients develop a skin rash, but gut and liver inflammation can occur in more severe forms.

GVHD occurs in more than a third of patients receiving transplants from siblings. Its incidence is higher where donors are unrelated. Once established GHVD has a mortality rate of between 10 and 30%.