Author(s)

Rubin Zhang

Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA.

Allograft dysfunction is a common problem after kidney transplant. Allograft rejection is an important entity, and timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for caring transplant recipients. Hyperacute rejection is mediated by the preformed donor specific antibody, while accelerated acute rejection represents an anamnestic response by memory B and T cells. They occur early after transplant. Acute cellular rejection is relatively common and usually responds to pulse corticosteroids or antithymocyte globulin (ATG). The complexity of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) as well as its detrimental effect has been increasingly recognized. The treatment of acute AMR requires a combination of several modalities, such as plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption, IVIG, corticosteroids, rituximab and ATG. After treatment of rejection episode, the maintenance immunosuppressive drugs should be adjusted to prevent further acute rejection and/or evolution into chronic active rejection. Chronic rejection is not reversible and it has been recognized as the most important cause of chronic graft dysfunction and failure.

Acute Rejection, Cellular Rejection, Donor Specific Antibody, Antibody-Mediated Rejection, Chronic Rejection

Zhang, R. (2014) Clinical Management of Kidney Allograft Dysfunction. Open Journal of Organ Transplant Surgery, 4, 7-14. doi: 10.4236/ojots.2014.42002.