Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 immune system detects cell antigens on the transplanted organ as different and non- matching to the host cells. The tissues of two people are not the same so doctors generally suppress the immune system of the recipient before transplantation so that rejection does not happen. There are different kinds of transplant rejections. The first one is hyperacute rejection. It happens when antigens are totally different, like when the person is given the wrong type of blood. Such reactions happen as soon as a few minutes after transplantation, and the transplanted tissue must be removed immediately to prevent death. The second type of rejection is acute rejection, which is most common and may occur between the first week and three months of transplantation. The third one is chronic rejection, which lasts for a long time. In chronic rejection, the immune system slowly damages the transplanted organ or tissues. The symptoms of rejection are decreased functioning of the transplanted organ, general discomfort and illness, pain and swelling in the area of the organ, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Blood Transfusion Reactions In the event of severe blood loss or in if the body is not able to produce adequate blood due to illness, infections, surgery, cancer, etc., a blood transfusion is advised by the physician for the restoration of health and well-being. However, if the transfusion is not successful and the host body does not accept the donor blood, it leads to a blood transfusion reaction. Transfusion reactions generally occur when the body of the recipient does not accept the donor's blood due to compatibility issues. Such reactions are very rare but have the potential to cause damage to the kidney and lungs of the host body. Transfusion reactions are generally diagnosed either at the time of receipt of the blood or immediately after the transfusion is complete. Symptoms of transfusion reactions are pain in the back, bleeding in urine, body shivers, faintness or dizziness, fever, flushing of the skin, and flank pain. There are different kinds of transfusion reactions. When the red blood cells of the donor are attacked by the immune system of the host, the transfusion reaction that occurs is known as hemolytic. If the white blood cells are attacked, then the reaction is called febrile reaction. One can even suffer from an allergic reaction. Another reaction that can happen is the transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI), which is when the antibodies in the plasma of the donor blood cause damage to the lung cells of the host. In this case, accumulation of fluid happens in the lungs, which can be fatal. Further, if the amount of blood donated to the host body exceeds the adequate level, it can cause circulatory overload. Some life-threatening complications of these transfusion reactions include acute kidney failure, anemia, pulmonary edema, and death. 2.5 Alterations in the Hematological System The blood in the body is made from liquid and solid substances, wherein the liquid portion is made from water, salt, and proteins and is known as plasma, while the solid portion is made from red and white blood cells and platelets. Any flaw in the blood can affect the entire well-being of the body. This makes it vital to understand some of the common disorders that may affect different components in Achieve Page 38