What do the HLA testing results show?
What do the HLA testing results show?
Specific HLA genes or antigens are identified during HLA testing to ensure solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplant compatibility. The typing result of the recipient is compared to those of the potential donor. Results indicate how many antigens match and how many antigen mismatches are present.
Why do you get HLA antibodies from pregnancy?
Inherited paternal HLA antigens from the semi-allogeneic fetus may trigger maternal immune responses during pregnancy, leading to the production of child-specific HLA antibodies. The prevalence of these HLA antibodies increases with the number of successful pregnancies.
Does HLA go away?
Unfortunately once you have anti-HLA antibodies, they do not go away on their own. Antibodies can be difficult to remove from the body, although different treatments have been tried. Antibody levels can temporarily increase in the setting of infection, vaccination, or transplantation.
Why do you need HLA-matched platelets?
HLA-matched platelets are indicated for patients that have thrombocytopenia and have demonstrated CCI values consistent with immune refractory thrombocytopenia on at least two occasions.
What does it mean if you have HLA antibodies?
This test checks your blood for antibodies against a cell marker called a human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The test is done if you need an organ transplant, to help find a donor organ that will work in your body. Different forms of the HLA antibody are involved in autoimmune diseases.
Are there any diseases associated with the HLA gene?
The body can inappropriately mount an immune response against its own self-cells, producing antibodies ( autoantibodies ). More than 100 diseases have been associated with particular HLA genes, such as ankylosing spondylitis, which is associated with the HLA-B27 allele .
What is the survival rate of HLA antibodies?
Patients with complement-binding donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies after transplantation had the lowest 5-year rate of graft survival (54%), as compared with patients with non–complement-binding donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (93%) and patients without donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (94%) (P<0.001 for both comparisons).
How is HLA testing used in autoimmune disease?
Since the MHC system is involved in recognizing “self” and “non-self” antigens, HLA gene testing may be used to aid in the diagnosis certain diseases, such as autoimmune disease. The body can inappropriately mount an immune response against its own self-cells, producing antibodies ( autoantibodies ).
Why are HLA mismatches less critical than ABO matching?
Unlike ABO matching, HLA typing mismatches are less critical as long as the recipient has not developed HLA antibodies directed against donor’s antigens. Various drugs may be administered to help suppress the recipient’s immune system in order to minimize organ rejection.