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Basic Histocompatibility Testing Methods

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Core Concepts in Renal Transplantation

Abstract

Predicting humoral alloimmune potential in transplant recipients is the objective of histocompatibility testing and depends upon accurate donor typing and sensitive and specific testing for antibodies to human leukocyte antigen. This review for the transplant clinician will describe the evolution and current widespread practices of histocompatibility testing methods for typing, crossmatching, and antibody screening. Newer methods such as measuring T cell alloimmune potential will not be discussed as they are beyond the scope of this basic overview and are not routinely practiced in all histocompatibility laboratories at this time. Emphasis is given to the clinical applicability and limitations of each test, and the collective consideration of all tests in concert, as part of the immunologic risk assessment of the solid organ transplant recipient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Kathryn J. Tinckam MD, MMSc, FRCPC

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  1. Kathryn J. Tinckam MD, MMSc, FRCPC
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Correspondence to Kathryn J. Tinckam MD, MMSc, FRCPC .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Harvard Medical School, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Francis Street 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Anil Chandraker

  2. Harvard Medical School, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Francis Street 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Mohamed H. Sayegh

  3. Harvard Medical School, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Francis Street 75, Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Ajay K. Singh

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Tinckam, K.J. (2012). Basic Histocompatibility Testing Methods. In: Chandraker, A., Sayegh, M., Singh, A. (eds) Core Concepts in Renal Transplantation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0008-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0008-0_2

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