Antibodies

[Brightsky69]

Ok...what do antibodies have to do with getting a transplant? I just saw my transplant surgen the other day and they said that everything looked good....including my antibodies.
The transplant team said I was as healthy as a horse (all except needing a new kidney  ) and will continue on the transplant list.
I just wondered how do antibodies pay into a transplant.

[okarol]

Approximately 30 percent of patients who are awaiting a kidney transplant are considered "sensitized." Through a test called Panel Reactive Antibody (PRA), we learn an estimate of the amount of antibody against foreign tissue that the patient has. The PRA is expressed as a percentage and shows the likelihood of having an antibody against a particular donor. A patient is considered sensitized if the PRA is greater than 20 percent. Having antibodies against foreign tissue makes it harder to find a compatible living or deceased donor kidney. Sensitized patients may wait three to four times longer for a compatible deceased donor kidney compared to a non-sensitized patient.

More info here http://www.uwhealth.org/transplant/kidneydesensitizationprogramfrequentlyaskedquestions/10618

[Brightsky69]

Thank you

[gregory]

I have developed antibodies from a previous transplant. It lasted 22 years. I will have to undergo three I.V's of a medication so I can get another one.