Organ Transplatation

Transplantation is the process of transferring an organ or part of an organ (known as a graft) from one donor to either themselves (autologous transplantation) or another recipient (allogeneic transplantation) or their genetically identical recipient (isograft transplantation). In addition to being subject to strict legal requirements, the donor and recipient must be histocompatible in allogeneic transplantations to minimize the risk of transplant rejection. Because the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is only perfectly matched in isotransplantation (involving the transfer of genetically identical tissue, e.g., between identical twins), allogeneic transplantation subsequently requires immunosuppressive therapy. Close follow-up and infection prevention measures (e.g., vaccination) are required because of the risks of posttransplant infection and graft rejection