Q. Why are glucorticoids used in transplant patients?
In the treatment and prevention of this common problem patients are given other immunosupressants or glucorticoids, Glucocorticoids have an immunosuppressant action and so that they reduce the aggression of the immune system against the graft, Patients with transplanted organs are prone to host versus graft rejection since their own immune system tends to attack the grafted organ because of recognition of the grafted tissue as foreign matter..
The immune action though is also very vital for the individual. The immune system defends the body against infection and invasion by pathogenic agents (bacteria, virus, toxins) besides being fundamental for the elimination of modified cells that may proliferate and cause cancer. Patients receiving immunosuppressants like glucocorticoids are thus under increased risk of neoplastic diseases and infectious.