Final answer:
Suspect graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a bone marrow transplant recipient with recent onset of lung and intestinal symptoms, such as cough and chronic, watery diarrhea. GVHD occurs when transplanted lymphocytes attack the recipient's tissues, and it can be acute or chronic with variable symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering a recent bone marrow transplant recipient exhibiting both lung and intestinal symptoms, one should suspect graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD occurs because the transplanted bone marrow contains lymphocytes that can mount an immune response against the recipient's tissues, as the recipient's immune system has been compromised to prevent rejection of the graft.
Symptoms of GVHD can include a rash, liver damage, and mucosal damage. Specifically, lung involvement might present as a cough and intestinal involvement might manifest as diarrhea, which could be chronic and watery, reflecting damage to the mucosa. In severe cases, other symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, and even intestinal obstruction. Blood tests in these cases might indicate anemia or other abnormalities due to the immune response and tissue damage.
Preventative measures for GVHD include the removal of mature T cells from the bone marrow before transplantation. However, GVHD can still occur, with acute GVHD typically developing within weeks and chronic GVHD potentially developing months after the transplant.