Leukocyte responses to acute renal transplant rejection.

A retrospective study of the response of the leukocyte count to renal transplant rejection was performed in 159 rejection episodes. Results of the study showed that 1. contrary to what is commonly thought leukocytosis is the least common response to acute rejection and a decrease in leukocyte count is far more common, 2. a sudden decrease in leukocyte count in a previously stable patient can be an early sign of rejection, 3. there is a significantly greater incidence of graft loss in rejection episodes characterized by leukopenia and 4. the risk of infection following rejection is greatest in patients with rejection characterized by leukopenia.