Quantitation of allograft fibrosis and chronic allograft nephropathy.
Despite improvements in the prevention and treatment of acute renal allograft rejection, the long-term survival of renal transplants has not increased. Immunologic and non-immunologic factors contribute to the gradual deterioration of graft function and to the histologic lesion characterized by vascular and interstitial fibrosis ('chronic rejection'). Quantitation of this process has been attempted using various invasive and non-invasive methods. These methods, performed at different times post-transplant, are reviewed in this article. In particular, pathology scoring systems and the potential of using computerized image analysis of biopsy material are discussed.
Grimm
P C
PC
Department of Pediatrics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. pgrimm@ucsd.edu
Nickerson
P
P
Gough
J
J
McKenna
R
R
Jeffery
J
J
Birk
P
P
Rush
D N
DN
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005355:Fibrosis; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous