Understanding Organ Transplant Rejection - Risks and Prevention

Image credit: ar.inspiredpencil.com

What is transplant rejection?

Transplant rejection is a process in which a transplant recipient's immune system attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. Your body's immune system usually protects you from substances that may be harmful, such as germs, poisons, and sometimes, cancer cells. These harmful substances have proteins called antigens coating their surfaces.

What happens if a transplant is rejected?

Transplant rejection occurs when the recipient’s immune system attacks the transplanted organ. This can cause the transplanted organ to fail, undermining the purpose of the transplant and leading to a life threatening situation. Transplant rejection can be an acute reaction occurring immediately after a transplant or a few days later.

How does chronic rejection affect organ transplantation?

Chronic rejection has widely varied effects on different organs. At 5 years post-transplant, 80% of lung transplants, 60% of heart transplants and 50% of kidney transplants are affected, while liver transplants are only affected 10% of the time.

How long after a kidney transplant does rejection occur?

Acute rejection may occur any time from the first week after the transplant to 3 months afterward. All recipients have some amount of acute rejection. Chronic rejection can take place over many years. The body's constant immune response against the new organ slowly damages the transplanted tissues or organ. Symptoms may include:

What happens if my organ is rejected after a transplant?

The onset of rejection does not mean your organ will be lost, but prompt treatment is critical. The symptoms of rejection depend on the type of transplant you have. Rejection is quite common in the early stages following a transplant. It can occur any time but most commonly takes place within the first 6 months.

What causes rejection after organ transplantation?

Acute rejection occurs days or weeks after transplantation and can be caused by specific lymphocytes in the recipient that recognize human leukocyte antigens in the tissue or organ grafted. Finally, chronic rejection usually occurs months or years after organ or tissue transplantation.

What Is Organ Transplant Rejection

1. https://transplant.org.au/living-with-your-transplant/the-first-few-days/understanding-rejection/
2. https://www.verywellhealth.com/understanding-and-preventing-organ-transplant-rejection-4147557
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/transplant-rejection
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transplant_rejection
5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000815.htm
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21134-kidney-transplant-rejection
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535410/
8. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/liver-transplant/living-with-transplant

Organ Transplant Rejection Information

1. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/organ-transplants
2. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/services/specialists/queensland-liver-transplant-service/liver-transplant-evaluation-and-assessment-guide/rejection