Graft-Versus-Host Reaction: Cutaneous Manifestations Following Bone Marrow Transplantation
August 1977
in “
PubMed
”
graft-versus-host reaction GVHR cutaneous manifestations bone marrow transplantation macular erythema erythematous papules violaceous macules vacuolar changes epidermal basal-cell layer lymphocyte infiltrates generalized scaling sclerotic skin atrophic skin hyperpigmentation ulcerations alopecia dermal collagenization skin changes hair loss
TLDR Skin changes help detect graft-versus-host reaction early after bone marrow transplants.
The document described the cutaneous manifestations of graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR) in two patients following bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anemia. Acute GVHR presented as macular erythema in mild cases and erythematous papules and violaceous macules with scale in severe cases, with skin biopsies showing vacuolar changes in the epidermal basal-cell layer and lymphocyte infiltrates. Chronic GVHR progressed from generalized scaling to sclerotic and atrophic skin with hyperpigmentation, ulcerations, and alopecia, with histopathology revealing dermal collagenization. The visibility of skin changes allowed for early recognition of GVHR.
