The human body is a wonderful instrument. It has a huge number of complex integrated and interactive systems, all working together to comprise a fully functioning corpus. It is capable of surviving by adapting to change in the environmental circumstances in which it finds itself.

Like most other complex instruments, its flexibility and ability to respond to demand, and hence survive, is dependent on a fine balance. Although the balance is generally between opposites, the outcome is seen as an overall steady state with fine changes occurring all the time to maintain the balance.

All components of organ transplantation in humans reflect the general principles of life being a matter of balance. The various diseases that lead to the organ failure, and thus the need for organ transplantation, are a manifestation of either an acute or a chronic loss of balance that is life threatening. The process of replacing the failed organ requires a deliberate or medically-induced change in balance in the ability of the corpus to protect itself from an environmental challenge. This applies particularly to an immunological response to the organ transplanted. One could predict that a chronic imbalance, such as the immunosuppression required for organ transplantation, would inevitably lead to disease. Hence the need for this book.

The book concentrates on the diseases consequent upon an organ transplantation, rather than diseases resulting in the need for it.