A Frequent Etiology, But Rarely Seen, of Acute Diarrhea

A 63-years-old man submitted to stem cell transplantation in June 2020 was admitted at hospital for pneumonia and respiratory failure. On the first inpatient day, he reported onset of watery diarrhea about 2 days ago, without abdominal pain or fever. Stool specimens analyse were negative for parasites and viruses. The rectosigmoidoscopy evidenced nonspecific findings and histologic samples diagnosed graft versus host disease colitis. The patient was treated with systemic corticosteroids and loperamide and was discharged after clinical respond.

Despite acute GVHD is the leading cause of diarrhea after SCT, endoscopic findings are only observed in about one third of cases.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021