An immunohistological study of post-transfusion graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

We reported clinicopathological, histopathological and immunohistological features of two suggestive cases with post transfusion graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and examined. In addition, we have declared histopathologic characteristics of acute and chronic GVHD with literatural consideration. On the basis of a review of two cases, we came to the following conclusion; It is implied that early lymphoid proliferation may be useful to make a diagnosis of acute GVHD. Case 2 had pathological confirmation of acute GVHD in the liver and small intestine. In the liver, a damage of interlobular bile ducts and T lymphocytes infiltration close to ducts were the most specific feature of acute GVHD. From an immunohistological study in case 2, it was confirmed that abnormal expression of HLA-DR antigen and the appearance of activated T lymphocytes played an important role in the development of GVHD reaction in the liver.