Improved Methods Boost Cadaver Kidney Survival
"For the first time, cadaver kidney transplants are doing as well as those from 'A' matched siblings," report investigators from the University of California, San Francisco. The group attributes improved survival of cadaver kidneys to a modification of standard phenotyping and crossmatching procedures.
Speaking for the group, Samuel L. Kountz, MD, explained that the recipient's leukocytes are phenotyped and cross-matched to the cadaver donor's kidney cells as well as leukocytes. He explained that typing of the donor's leukocytes alone may show a "C" or better match on the Terasaki scale, while typing of the kidney cells often reveals a "D" match. Apparently, there is antigen on the kidney cell which is not seen on leukocytes during phenotyping, he said.
The feasibility of using kidney cells for typing and cross-matching depends on use of an organ preservation unit. The unit, developed by Folkert O.
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