Sequential histopathologic changes in pancreaticoduodenal allograft rejection in dogs

To determine the nature and sequence of the histologic changes in the early rejection of pancreaticoduodenal allografts and to assess the correlation between pancreaticoduodenal biopsy findings and the pathologic changes in the graft, we performed serial cystoscopically directed needle biopsies of pancreaticoduodenal allografts in 18 dogs and compared the findings with the histologic changes in 16 autografts as controls. Tissue adequate for evaluation was obtained by the biopsy technique in 70% of instances. The earliest and most characteristic manifestation of rejection was diffuse mixed inflammatory infiltrates involving the pancreatic acinar tissue and duodenum. The biopsy findings correlated well with the changes in the resected pancreatic specimens. Cellular rejection in the duodenum correlated with rejection in the pancreatic graft. There were no changes in the autografts that resembled cellular rejection. We conclude that, in the canine model, cystoscopically directed needle biopsy of pancreaticoduodenal allografts consistently provides adequate tissue for the diagnosis of rejection; the status of the graft can be monitored by serial biopsies of pancreatic acinar tissue and, possibly, by serial biopsies of the duodenal wall alone.