ACQUIRED ICHTHYOSIS IN BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Background: Acquired ichthyosis (AI) has been described in a variety o f clinical situations. We have observed cases of ichthyosis in bone ma rrow transplant recipients. Objective: Our purpose was to characterize these changes clinically and histologically and to compare them with other cases of acquired ichthyosis. Methods: Skin biopsy specimens wer e taken before transplantation and from affected areas after transplan tation. Results: AI was observed in four patients who had received a b one marrow transplant for leukemia. None of the patients had a previou s personal or family history of ichthyosis. In all patients graft-vers us-host disease developed after transplantation. The eruption clinical ly and histologically most closely resembled ichthyosis vulgaris. The ichthyotic changes appeared to be unrelated to specific drug therapy. Conclusion: Al is a previously unreported cutaneous complication of bo ne marrow transplantation. It may be related to graft-versus-host dise ase in these patients.