Three Types of Organ Transplant Rejections

When considering organ transplant, there are many factors to consider including origin of donor, health risks and even financial costs. In the United States, millions of Americans anxiously await the receipt of a donated organ which could, ultimately, mean a change in life status, including death.

When a donated organ is received, it is important the organ recipient understand the various types of organ rejections that may ensue following an organ transplant. Understanding these risks, the patient in need of an organ can make a more educated decision as to whether or not organ transplant is right for the health situation, including the impact on the family.

Organ rejection is generally an immune response that can be categorized into three categories two, of which, are classified as B lymphocyte humoral responses while the third rejection is a cellular based immunity.

The first of these organ rejection responses is a B lymphocyte humoral response known as a Hyperacute rejection. Generally, this type of organ transplant rejection occurs when the organ recipient already carries a significant amount of antibodies in the blood. When the organ is transplanted, these antibodies immediately react with the donor organ’s antigens often resulting in an immediate rejection of the organ, often before surgery is even complete. While Hyperacute rejection of a donated organ is uncommon in recent years, some patients will experience this as a risk of organ transplant surgery.

The second type of organ rejection is known as acute rejection. In the Acute rejection phase, the organ transplant surgery often appears successful for several days following surgery. However, after several days, the body may naturally begin to develop an immune response to the donated organ and, at about 10 days post-operative, the T cells begin to create a cellular immune response in which the donated organ begins to function abnormally or function in a decreased status. Often, with proper immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant patients can recover from an acute rejection of the donated organ and restore donated organ function to almost 100 percent. Still, for others, the donated organ may still become fully non-functional and rejected.

And, finally, there is a third organ transplant rejection response known as the chronic rejection. As the second of two types of humoral immunity responses, the chronic rejection of a donated organ occurs over a prolonged period of time resulting in a slow and deteriorated process of the organ. While these chronic rejections are becoming more and more uncommon, there are still a few numbers of patients who will experience this type of organ transplant rejection.

As with any chronic health condition, seeking the advice of a team of healthcare professionals will ensure the right decisions are made, especially when faced with an organ transplant. When debating the decision to proceed with organ transplant surgery, one factor to consider is the degree and risks in which organ rejection may occur. Discussing these three organ rejection risks with your surgeon will ensure both you and your family are better prepared for the outcome after surgery.