Human leucocyte typing in clinical transplantation.

TLDR: There is now convincing proof that human leucocyte antigens are transplantation antigen which are capable of influencing the function and survival of kidney transplant, and it is becoming almost universally accepted that matching of donor and recipient in terms of their leucocytes is desirable.

Abstract: At the out et two firm statements can be made: firstly, there is now convincing proof that human leucocyte antigens are transplantation antigens which are capable of influencing the function and survival of kidney transplant; secondly, it is becoming almost universally accepted tbat matching of donor and recipient in terms of their leucocyte antigens is desirable. There is, however, uncertainty in many quarters as to just how desirable, or necessary, prospective leucocyte antigen typing is in clinical practice; and if it is done, to what extent it must be taken into con ideration before embarking on a transplant. The current value of leucocyte typing in transplantation practice is best assessed by reviewing the accumulated evidence which established a correlation between the degree of leucocyte antigen matching of donor-recipient pairs and the outcome of their renal transplants. When doing so, it is as well to bear in mind the many reservations expressed in these reports by the investigators themselves. Problems arose from the fact that neither of the two variables under examination, i.e. the degree of rejection and the degree of histocompatibility, was easy to measure. Clinical assessment of the uccess of tran planta-