title: Understanding crossmatch testing in organ transplantation: A case-based guide for the general nephrologist.
abstract: Crossmatching of potential renal donors against potential renal transplant recipients has been performed for over 40 years and is a mandatory component of the transplant work-up process. However, gone are the days when all that was available was the T-cell complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch. There are now many more options available for determining the likelihood of donor-specific antibody-mediated responses including flow crossmatching and the 'virtual' crossmatch. In addition, assays to determine the extent of sensitization of cell-mediated responses are being examined. This article builds an understanding of modern day crossmatch interpretation using a case-based approach in order to provide a framework for the general nephrologist to determine the likely immune consequences of a particular donor-recipient pairing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. bill.mulley@southernhealth.org.au
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Mulley
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanellis
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies