Final answer:
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) can occur when a patient undergoes a bone marrow transplant. The recipient's immune system recognizes the donor cells as foreign and mounts an inflammatory response, which may lead to the destruction of the transplanted tissue. Symptoms of GVHD can include a rash, liver damage, and mucosa damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a specific type of transplantation reaction that can occur when a patient undergoes a bone marrow transplant. The immune system of the recipient recognizes the donor cells as foreign and mounts an inflammatory response, which can ultimately destroy the transplanted tissue. GVHD primarily occurs in recipients of bone marrow transplants, where the transplanted tissue is capable of producing immune cells.
Symptoms of GVHD can vary, but they usually include a rash and damage to the liver and mucosa. To reduce the risk of GVHD, attempts have been made to remove mature T cells from the donor bone marrow before transplantation. Additionally, transplant recipients usually require immunosuppressive therapy to avoid rejection, even with good genetic matching. This can create additional problems when immune responses are needed to fight off infections and prevent cancer.