الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Renal transplantation has become the treatment of choice for most patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). It prolongs patient lifespan, enhances quality and duration of life than long-term dialysis therapy for patients with chronic or end stage renal disease.
Immunosuppressive therapy, in the context of transplantation, inflammatory conditions and malignant disease, has long been known to incur an increased risk of infective illness. An increased incidence of both typical and opportunistic infections, as well as malignancies, is reported and the degree of risk is proportional to the intensity of immunosuppressive therapy. However, not all immunosuppressed patients develop infection and while the dose and type of immunosuppressants administered, are clearly critical in predisposing patients to infection, they are not the sole determinants. Factors including age, co-morbid conditions and biological variation in immune function are also crucial in determining susceptibility to infection.
Neutrophils are the most abundant population of circulating white blood cells and mediate the earliest phases of inflammatory reactions. They are among the first line of cellular defense and are rapidly recruited to the sites of injuries or infections. Efficient neutrophil activation and migration are essential for a protective innate immune response. Neutrophils are key players in fighting invading pathogens and microorganisms, which can cause serious infections. The loss of neutrophils in number or of aspects of their function leaves individuals more susceptible to infections.
Monocytes are produced by the bone marrow, stored in spleen, and distributed in all body tissues as macrophages. Monocytes/macrophages play a key role in host defense against microbial infections, tissue healing process, and in the pathogenesis of inflammation and atherosclerosis. They engulf microbes, infected cells & tissue debris directly or via intermediary proteins such as antibodies or complement components.