Chapter 7, Problem 16P

Summary Introduction

To define: The meaning of opportunistic.

Introduction: Tissue transplant rejection is one of the main challenges faced in organ transplantation. Tissue transplant rejection is a process in which the immune system of the recipient rejects and attacks the transplanted organ or tissue. The rejection happens because of the recognition of transplanted organ as foreign (identified as non-self by recipient’s immune system) due to the presence of varied antigens (HLA antigens) in the cell surface of transplant.

Summary Introduction

To explain: The way in which opportunistic infection occurs as a common adverse effect of immunosuppressant drugs.

Introduction: Arrays of microbes that colonize in the body surface of an organism are called as normal microbiome. Certain surfaces are colonized with a combination of microbes (bacteria and fungus) like in skin, mucous membrane of eyes, vagina, urethra, upper respiratory tract, and upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts. Opportunistic microorganisms or pathogens are the normal microbiome that plays a harmful role when the defense system of the body is weak. These microbes are opportunistic as they cause disease only when the host’s immunity is compromised.