Graft rejection; Tissue/organ rejection DefinitionTransplant rejection is a process in which a transplant recipient's immune system attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. CausesYour 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. As soon as these antigens enter the body, the immune system recognizes that they are not from that person's body and that they are "foreign," and attacks them. When a person receives an organ from someone else during transplant surgery, that person's immune system may recognize that it is foreign. This is because the person's immune system detects that the antigens on the cells of the organ are different or not "matched." Mismatched organs, or organs that are not matched closely enough, can trigger a blood transfusion reaction or transplant rejection. To help prevent this reaction, doctors type, or match both the organ donor and the person who is receiving the organ. The more similar the antigens are between the donor and recipient, the less likely that the organ will be rejected. Tissue typing ensures that the organ or tissue is as similar as possible to the tissues of the recipient. The match is usually not perfect. No two people, except identical twins, have identical tissue antigens. Doctors use medicines to suppress the recipient's immune system. The goal is to prevent the immune system from attacking the newly transplanted organ. If these medicines are not used, the body will almost always launch an immune response and destroy the foreign tissue. There are some exceptions, though. Cornea transplants are rarely rejected because the cornea has no blood supply. Also, transplants from one identical twin to another are almost never rejected. There are three types of rejection:
SymptomsSymptoms may include:
The symptoms depend on the transplanted organ or tissue. For example, patients who reject a kidney may make less urine, and patients who reject a heart may have symptoms of heart failure. Exams and TestsThe health care provider will examine the area over and around the transplanted organ. Signs that the organ is not working properly include:
A biopsy of the transplanted organ can confirm that it is being rejected. A routine biopsy is often performed periodically to detect rejection early, before symptoms develop. When organ rejection is suspected, one or more of the following tests may be done before the organ biopsy:
TreatmentThe goal of treatment is to improve the chances that the transplanted organ or tissue continues to work properly by suppressing your immune system response. Suppressing the immune response may prevent transplant rejection. Medicines will likely be used to suppress the immune response. Dosage and choice of medicines depends on your condition. The dosage may be very high while the tissue is being rejected. After you no longer have signs of rejection, the dosage will likely be lowered. Outlook (Prognosis)Medicines that suppress the immune system may stop the rejection. Most people need to take these medicines for the rest of their life. Single episodes of acute rejection rarely lead to organ failure. Chronic rejection is the leading cause of organ transplant failure. The organ slowly loses its function and symptoms start to appear. This type of rejection cannot be effectively treated with medicines. Some people may need another transplant. Possible ComplicationsHealth problems that may result from transplant or transplant rejection include:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalContact your provider if the transplanted organ or tissue does not seem to be working properly, or if other symptoms occur. Also, contact your provider if you have side effects from medicines you are taking. PreventionABO blood typing and HLA (tissue antigen) typing before a transplant helps ensure a close match. You will likely need to take medicine to suppress your immune system for the rest of your life to prevent the tissue from being rejected. Being careful about taking your post-transplant medicines and being closely watched by your doctor may help prevent rejection. ReferencesAbbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S. Transplantation immunology. In: Abbas AK, Lichtman AH, Pillai S, eds. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 17. Badell IR, Adams AB, Larsen CP. Transplantation immunobiology and immunosuppression. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 25. Tse G, Marson L. Immunology of graft rejection. In: Forsythe JLR, ed. Transplantation: A Companion to Specialist Surgical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 3. | ||
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Review Date: 4/18/2023 Reviewed By: John Roberts, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Pediatrics, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. View References The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | ||
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