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How does an autograft differ from an allograft?
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transplant
British surgeon Andrew Ready flushing a donated kidney during a transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, England, 2006.
In the context of transplant surgery, the primary difference between an autograft and an allograft lies in the source of the donor tissue and the recipient's immune response.12
- Autograft: This involves transferring tissue from one site to another on the same individual. Because the tissue originates from the patientās own body, autografts are genetically identical to the recipient and cannot be rejected.12
- Allograft: This involves the transfer of tissue between genetically nonidentical members of the same species. Because the donor and recipient are different individuals, allografts are typically recognized as foreign by the recipient's immune system and are usually rejected unless specific medical interventions are used to prevent this.12
While autografts are often preferred for their compatibility, allografts are commonly used in procedures involving skin, corneas, hearts, livers, kidneys, and bone marrow. In some cases, such as severe burns, an allograft may serve as a temporary, life-saving protective covering until the patient is stable enough to receive a permanent autograft.12