HLA DNA PREORGAN RETRIEVAL DONOR TYPING IN RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

For the first time, a DNA technique was used in clinical practice for preorgan donor retrieval typing in renal transplantation. The method i s based on the polymerase chain reaction with nested sequence-specific primer pairs (nested PCR-SSP) for all serological HLA-DR specificitie s of DR1-DR18. A panel of reference-typed individuals (n = 101) was in vestigated in a blind quality control study and the results revealed a sensitivity of 99.5% and a specificity of 100%. Semi-automation of PC R-SSP provided rapid, accurate and reliable typing results demonstrati ng that this DNA test is most suitable for replacing the error-prone H LA-DR serological technique. Twenty-seven consecutive cadaveric organ donors have been successfully typed so far. The results were available within less than 3 h after blood sampling and in all cases prior to t he retrieval of organs. In conclusion, the introduction of this accura te DNA typing in HLA matching programs may significantly improve the g raft survival rate in renal transplantation.