Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs when an organ donor’s T lymphocytes recognize the recipient’s body as foreign and launch an attack on its tissues and organs. GVHD mainly occurs in patients who have received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants, and the risk factors include previous acute GVHD,  immune mismatch, older age, gender disparity, and donor history of pregnancy or blood transfusions. Patients with acute GVHD develop a maculopapular rash on the head, neck, and palm, erythroderma, and occasionally blisters. Patients with chronic GVHD develop poikiloderma and hypopigmentation with nail, hair, and mucous membrane changes. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation and biopsies, while treatment options range from topical measures to systemic therapies using corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs.

In this learning module, you will find a key point review on GVHD focused on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, pathology, differential diagnosis and management. To test your knowledge, we refer you to the associated Quiz (short answer format questions) and clinical vignettes simulating OSCE examinations. We hope you find this module useful and if you choose to submit new questions or vignettes to increase the content of this module or post comments on how we can improve this module for your learning, we look forward to them.

Select how you would like to proceed below:

1. Bolognia, J., Cerroni, L., & Schaffer, J. V. (2018). Dermatology.

2. Wolverton, S. E. (2013). Comprehensive dermatologic drug therapy. Edinburgh: Saunders.