Graft-versus-Host Disease-Like Pattern in Mycophenolate Mofetil Related Colon Mucosal Injury: Role of FISH in Establishing the Diagnosis.

Authors

Kathryn C Behling, Thomas Jefferson University
Dorothy M J Foster, Thomas Jefferson University
Tina B Edmonston, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Agnieszka K Witkiewicz, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It was published in: Case reports in gastroenterology

Volume 9, Issue 3, December 2009, Pages 418-423.

The published version is available at DOI: 10.1159/000260903 . Copyright © Karger

Abstract

Mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®), a commonly used immunosuppressive drug in solid organ transplantation, has recently been shown to cause graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-like changes in the gastrointestinal tract. On rare occasions, true GVHD has also been documented in the gastrointestinal tract of solid organ transplant patients. Because the treatment for these two entities is different, i.e. removal of the offending agent versus the administration of steroids, proper identification of the cause is imperative. We present a case of mycophenolate mofetil colitis mimicking grade I GVHD of the gut. In our study, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization for the Y chromosome to document the lack of male donor lymphocytes in the female recipient colon biopsy. We suggest that molecular techniques including fluorescence in situ hybridization could be used to discriminate between MMF-related colitis and true GVHD in order to help guide therapy.

Recommended Citation

Behling, Kathryn C; Foster, Dorothy M J; Edmonston, Tina B; and Witkiewicz, Agnieszka K, "Graft-versus-Host Disease-Like Pattern in Mycophenolate Mofetil Related Colon Mucosal Injury: Role of FISH in Establishing the Diagnosis." (2009). Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers. Paper 117.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/pacbfp/117

PubMed ID

21103265