What should be immediately performed for suspected transplant rejection?

In cases of suspected transplant rejection, the most effective and immediate diagnostic intervention is a biopsy. A biopsy allows for direct examination of the transplanted organ tissue, enabling healthcare providers to assess for signs of rejection at a cellular level. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the organ in question, which is then analyzed histologically for the presence of immune cells, cellular damage, or necrosis that are indicative of rejection.

While blood tests can be valuable in measuring organ function and can indicate rejection through changes in specific markers, they are not definitive and do not provide direct evidence of rejection. Imaging studies may help evaluate the condition of the transplanted organ but will not specifically show rejection at the tissue level. Similarly, urinalysis is useful for kidney transplant assessment but is also not specific for diagnosing rejection.

Therefore, obtaining a biopsy is the most critical and immediate action that can lead to the correct diagnosis and subsequent management decision in the context of suspected transplant rejection.