Cross-reactive group matching does not lead to a better allocation and survival of donor kidneys.
BACKGROUND
In cadaveric renal transplantation HLA-A, -B, -DR matching of donor and recipient is beneficial for graft survival. However, allocation based on HLA matching seems to favor recipients with more frequently occurring HLA antigens. In this study we investigated whether matching on the basis of cross-reactive groups (CREGs), defined according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), would be a good alternative for the allocation of kidneys without negatively influencing graft survival. Theoretically, this approach would provide more recipients with an immunologically well-matched donor organ.


METHODS
The influence of CREG matching on graft survival was studied in univariate analyses using the Eurotransplant database.


RESULTS
No beneficial effect of CREG matching was observed, whereas a significant HLA matching effect was observed in the 0 CREG mismatched donor/ recipient combinations. Only in the small subgroup with 1 MM for HLA-A, -B and 0 MM for HLA-DR, a significantly better survival was observed, when this mismatch belonged to the 0 or 1 MM CREG group versus two or more MM CREG group. However, this subgroup concerns only 8% of the transplants performed.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to other reports, our study showed that HLA matching is by far more beneficial than CREG matching. In the homogenous Eurotransplant population, adjusting the matching criteria toward CREG matching would not lead to an improved graft survival.
Stobbe
I
I
Department of Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
van der Meer-Prins
E M
EM
de Lange
P
P
Oudshoorn
M
M
De Meester
J
J
Doxiadis
I I
II
Claas
F H
FH
D003429:Cross Reactions; D006085:Graft Survival; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D014019:Tissue Donors