Graft-Versus-Host Disease is most likely to occur after which transplant type?

Graft-Versus-Host Disease is most likely to occur after which transplant type?

• A. Allogeneic transplant
• B. Autologous transplant
• C. Syngeneic transplant
• D. Umbilical cord transplant

Answer: (A)

GVHD occurs when donor immune cells in the transplanted tissue attack the recipient’s body because they see it as foreign. This requires a graft that contains donor T cells from someone who is not genetically identical to the recipient. Therefore, the risk is highest with an allogeneic transplant, where donor and recipient are different individuals. In an autologous transplant, the graft comes from the patient, so the cells are self and GVHD does not occur. In a syngeneic transplant from an identical twin, the tissues are essentially the same, so GVHD is extremely unlikely. Umbilical cord transplants also involve donor cells, but the GVHD risk is generally lower than with a typical allogeneic graft; nonetheless, among these options, the greatest likelihood of GVHD is with an allogeneic transplant.

GVHD occurs when donor immune cells in the transplanted tissue attack the recipient’s body because they see it as foreign. This requires a graft that contains donor T cells from someone who is not genetically identical to the recipient. Therefore, the risk is highest with an allogeneic transplant, where donor and recipient are different individuals. In an autologous transplant, the graft comes from the patient, so the cells are self and GVHD does not occur. In a syngeneic transplant from an identical twin, the tissues are essentially the same, so GVHD is extremely unlikely. Umbilical cord transplants also involve donor cells, but the GVHD risk is generally lower than with a typical allogeneic graft; nonetheless, among these options, the greatest likelihood of GVHD is with an allogeneic transplant.