Kidney transplants

Definition

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure to place a healthy kidney from a donor into someone with kidney failure. This can be critical in treating end-stage renal disease.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kidney transplants involve extensive screening for both donors and recipients to avoid infections.
2. Immunosuppressive drugs are necessary post-transplant to prevent rejection but increase susceptibility to infections.
3. Viral infections such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and BK virus are common complications after kidney transplants.
4. Pre-transplant infectious disease screening includes testing for viruses like Hepatitis B, C, and HIV.
5. Post-transplant monitoring is crucial for early detection of viral infections that can compromise the graft.

Review Questions

• Why are immunosuppressive drugs used after a kidney transplant?
• Which viral infections are commonly associated with kidney transplants?
• What pre-transplant screenings are done to prevent viral infections?

Related terms

Immunosuppressive Drugs: Medications that reduce the strength of the body's immune system.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV): A type of herpesvirus that can cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD): The final stage of chronic kidney disease where the kidneys can no longer function on their own.