Organ transplant rejection
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Organ transplant rejection
Transplant rejection occurs when the immune system detects the transplanted organ as foreign.
The immune system protects the body from substances that may be harmful. Antigens are found on the surface of these substances. If the immune system recognizes these antigens as foreign (not part of the body), it will attack them.
Transplant rejection works in the same way. A foreign tissue or organ can trigger a transplant rejection. Organ recipients need to take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ rejection.
Credits
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
| Last Updated | January 24, 2008 |
| Last updated: | January 24, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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