title: Histologic analysis of chronic rejection in small bowel transplantation:  mucosal and vascular alterations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic rejection is a significant barrier to small bowel allograft survival. Although chronic rejection primarily involves vessels of the submucosa, serosa, and mesentery, some mucosal alterations have been suggested to be correlative.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively investigated explanted small bowel allografts for clinical characteristics and histological alterations in the mucosa, submucosa, and serosa.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Crypt epithelial mucin loss, submucosal fibrosis, and length of time to explant were all statistically associated with chronic rejection. Medium-sized and large-sized vessels of the serosa and mesentery preferentially demonstrated histologic changes of chronic rejection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results further define chronic vascular rejection and the relationship between the mucosal changes and chronic rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-3135, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Geoffrey A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Talmon
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wisecarver
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Radio
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome