Teen takes on donor's immune system

[Bright Eyes]

This is truly amazing;

A 15-year-old Australian liver transplant patient has defied modern medicine by taking on her donor's immune system.

Demi-Lee Brennan had a liver transplant after she suffered liver failure. Nine months later, doctors at Sydney's Westmead Children's Hospital were amazed to find the teenager's blood group had changed to the donor's blood type.

Further tests revealed the stem cells from the donor liver had penetrated her bone marrow.

Dr Michael Stormon says he and his colleagues were even more surprised when they found the girl's immune system had almost totally been replaced by that of the donor, meaning she no longer had to take anti-rejection drugs.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/24/2145289.htm

[raccoon]

1. I can't imagine the implications of that... nt

[Pierre.Suave]

2. Holy Crap

that is amazing.

I need to get a copy of the New England Journal Of Medicine.

[LynzM]

3. Holy crap!

That seems... totally counter-intuitive, actually. Will have to do more reading...

[mainegreen]

4. That is remarkable.

Lucky girl indeed.