- - _ . - - - - - - ~ 75 The antibody cross match in liver transplantation

Six hundred sixty-seven first, second, and third orthotopic liver allografts in 520 patients were reviewed to determine the effect of recipient panel-reactive antibody (PRA) and donor-recipient antibody crossmatch on 2-year patient and liver allograft survival rates. Neither a high panel-reactive antibody nor a positive crossmatch for donor-specific preformed antIbody was associated with decreased patIent or liver allograft survival for primary grafts or retransplants. Two patients have been given kidney transplants immediately after a liver allograft from a donor WIth whom each patient had an initial strongly poSitive donor-specific antibody crossmatch. The liver apparently removed or neutralized circulating anti-donor antibody, since the renal allografts functioned promptly and did not experience hyperacute rejection.