Enhanced detection and characterization of HLA-sensitization in renal transplant recipients

Dealing with sera from prospective transplant recipients, we need a sensitive and specific technique for proper determination of these patients' allosensitization status. A new flow-cytometry based assay (FlowPRA) proved to be more sensitive in revealing the existence of HLA-specific IgG antibodies (Abs) than conventional citotoxicity (CDC) based assay. Using FlowPRA Screening and Specific tests we investigated humoral sensitization to HLA due to different immunizing events in 230 transplant candidates exposed to a single kind of immunizing event. We demostrated that pregnancy had a strong immonogenicity, similar to that of transplant, but often understimated by CDC assay and confirmad that presensitization status must thus be attentively investigated before transplantation lowering risk of rejection and poor graft survival.