Acute graft versus host disease post allogeneic stem cell transplantation- a case report

Allogeneic Stem cell transplantation remains the standard of care in many of the hematological disorders and genetic disorders. Despite advances in prevention and management of acute Graft versus Host Disease(aGvHD), it continues to be a major challenge and most common immunogenic complication post Allogeneic stem cell transplantation accounting for early transplant related morbidity and non relapse mortality. aGvHD is an immune triggered process, causing profound immune dysregulation and organ dysfunction. GvHD occurs when immune cells transplanted from a non-identical donor (graft) into the recipient (host) recognize the host cells as ‘foreign’, thereby initiating a graft-versus-host reaction. It considerably influences the overall success rate of allogeneic stem cell transplantation imposing a major impact in the quality of life among transplant survivors. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of this acute complication in order to improve clinical outcomes and to foster wholistic nursing care for patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.