A serious condition where transplanted immune cells attack the recipient's healthy tissues. This occurs most commonly after bone marrow or stem cell transplants when donor T-cells recognize the patient's body as foreign.
Coined in the 1960s during early bone marrow transplant research, combining 'graft' (transplanted tissue) with 'versus' (against) and 'host' (recipient). The term literally describes the transplanted tissue fighting against its new home.
It's the ultimate irony of transplant medicine - the very cells meant to save your life can turn against you! The donated immune system essentially tries to reject the entire body it's supposed to protect, making it the opposite of typical organ rejection.
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