Probable antibody-mediated failure of two sequential ABO-compatible hepatic allografts in a single recipient.
Two sequential ABO-compatible orthotopic liver allografts failed, despite excellent initial posttransplant function, in a patient with preformed donor-specific alloantibodies. There was no evidence of cell-mediated rejection. Retrospective crossmatching of recipient serum, obtained immediately prior to the first transplant, revealed the presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies directed against donor class I HLA B17, at a titer of greater than 1:32,768. Similarly, lymphocytotoxic antibodies directed against the second donor's class I HLA A2 phenotype were detected on retrospective crossmatching utilizing both the three-wash Amos technique (TWA-CDC), and the anti-human immunoglobulin augmented technique (AHG-CDC), at a titer of greater than 1:32,768. Anti-class I specific alloantibodies were eluted from both failed liver grafts at titers of 1:256. The hepatic necrosis in zones 3 and 2 that were observed on histologic examination, and the profound refractory consumptive thrombocytopenia subsequent to each transplant may have been the result of antibody-mediated rejection by preformed lymphocytotoxic antibodies. Despite the liver's remarkable capacity to withstand antibody-mediated injury, primary humoral rejection following ABO compatible liver transplantation may occur if extremely high titers of performed allospecific lymphocytotoxic antibodies are present.
Ratner
L E
LE
Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, St Louis, Missouri.
Phelan
D
D
Brunt
E M
EM
Mohanakumar
T
T
Hanto
D W
DW
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System / Q000276:immunology*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001706:Biopsy; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000473:pathology; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000209:etiology; D006648:Histocompatibility; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000017:ABO Blood-Group System; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum