Acute graft-versus-host disease of the lung after liver transplantation.

Kenneth S Knox, Mehrdad Behnia, Lisa R Smith, Gail H Vance, Michael Busk, Oscar W Cummings, Paul Y Kwo, David S Wilkes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the first case of a man who developed acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), isolated to the lung, after an orthotopic liver transplant from a female donor. Our patient experienced dyspnea, worsening hypoxemia, and a progressive obstructive ventilatory defect 12 days after liver transplantation. Open-lung biopsy revealed grade 2 lymphocytic bronchiolitis, the pathologic and immunologic correlate of acute pulmonary GVHD. Fluorescent in situ hybridization confirmed donor cells at sites of peribronchiolar inflammation. High-dose corticosteroids were given with a return to baseline pulmonary function. The current case should alert clinicians to investigate pulmonary GVHD as a potential cause of postoperative dyspnea in liver transplant recipients.;
Original languageUndefined
Pages (from-to)968 - 971
JournalLiver Transplantation
Volume8
Issue number10
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Graft vs Host Disease/*etiology, Liver Transplantation/*adverse effects, Lung Diseases/*etiology, Acute Disease, Administration, Oral, Aged, Bronchitis/etiology, Bronchitis/pathology, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage, Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use, Graft vs Host Disease/complications, Graft vs Host Disease/drug therapy, Humans, Injections, Intravenous, Lung Diseases/complications, Lung Diseases/drug therapy, Lymphocytes/pathology, Male, Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage, Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use, Prednisone/administration & dosage, Prednisone/therapeutic use, Treatment Outcome

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