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Chimp Attack Victim Suffers Face Transplant Rejection Issues

By Sara Gale | Update Date: May 06, 2016 06:09 AM EDT

A woman who had a full face transplant in 2011 followed by a cruel attack by a chimpanzee is admitted in hospital again on Wednesday. It is reported that transplanted tissues are being rejected by her body after five years of surgery.

Charla Nash, 62, from Stamford was mauled by a chimpanzee named Travis, which was a local celebrity that appeared in a couple of television commercials. The animal brutally attacked Nash when she tried to stop her neighbor's pet from escaping. In the encounter Nash lost her hands and her eyes, nose and lips were severely injured.

Though the 14-year-old chimp was shot dead by a police officer on the same day, the fatal injury Nash suffered is taking a toll on her till date. The woman then underwent a full face transplant surgery two years after the attack in 2009. Now, five years after the transplant Nash is admitted in hospital again as her body has started rejecting the graft, but luckily in moderate levels.

"Charla is currently experiencing a moderate rejection episode, which face transplant patients experience on occasion," explained Dr. Bohdan Pomahac, director of plastic surgery transplantation, according to New York Post. "Overall, she is doing well," he said in a statement. "We expect this rejection episode to be resolved within the coming week."

Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, chair of the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone, said that moderate rejection can be seen in patients while they are adjusting to immunosuppressive drugs. He also noted that an acute rejection episode which usually appears like a rash could be treated by making changes in the medication.

"I gave it my all and know my participation in the study will still be beneficial," said Nash who received the transplant as a part of military funded experiment, to Associated Press, reported CBS News . "I'd do it all over again, if I could. The men and women serving our country are the true heroes. I'm just happy I had the chance to help," Nash said. "I wish I could have done more. I believe in the power of prayer and appreciate everyone who is praying for me," she added.

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