Graft-versus-Host Disease

Case Study:  Graft-versus-Host Disease

1. In what situations are the transplantation of bone marrow indicated?
2. Hematopoietic stem cells are present in tissues other than bone marrow. What are the sources of these non-bone marrow stem cells?
3. Describe the basic mechanism of GVHD. Be sure to include the type of cell involved.
4. Why don’t children with primary immunodeficiency diseases require radiation or immuosuppressive drugs before bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
5. Can graft-versus-host disease occur even with MHC Class I and II matching? Why or why not?
6. What are the signs and symptoms of GVHD?
7. What distinguishes chronic and acute graft-versus-host disease? Which type is more serious?
8. In this case study, what laboratory test is used to detect alloreactive donor T cells?
9. In this week’s Powerpoint, it is stated that this test has largely been replaced by another test. What is it?
10. Briefly describe both test methodologies.