Acquired ichthyosis in bone marrow transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Acquired ichthyosis (AI) has been described in a variety of clinical situations. We have observed cases of ichthyosis in bone marrow 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 were taken before transplantation and from affected areas after transplantation.

RESULTS: AI was observed in four patients who had received a bone marrow transplant for leukemia. None of the patients had a previous personal or family history of ichthyosis. In all patients graft-versus-host disease developed after transplantation. The eruption clinically and histologically most closely resembled ichthyosis vulgaris. The ichthyotic changes appeared to be unrelated to specific drug therapy.

CONCLUSION: AI is a previously unreported cutaneous complication of bone marrow transplantation. It may be related to graft-versus-host disease in these patients.