Q. How long will it take for my HLA information to
be added to the Registry?
Answer: It takes 1-2 weeks for the typing
results to be added to the Registry.
A reaction between cells of the subject and, for example, anti-HLA-A28 antibodies
and HLA-A9 antibodies - but no other antibodies - establishes the phenotype.
At the present time, routine typing is limited to establishing the phenotype at
HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DR. Coming into wider use is DNA typing,
especially for HLA-D antigens.
HLA Matching
There are many HLA markers. Research has found that a small number of them are most
important to transplant outcomes. The MDR(I) sets minimum matching levels that must
be met before a Donor from the MDR(I) Registry can be used for
transplant. The 6 HLA markers looked at for these minimum requirements are two A,
two B and two DRB1 markers.
For adult Donors, the MDR(I) requires a match of atleast 5 of these 6 HLA markers.
These minimum requirements are based on research
studies of transplant outcomes.
Other Factors
The level of HLA matching is only one of the things that can affect your chances
of having a successful transplant. The best available Donor may
match you at all or at most of the HLA markers your transplant center looks at.
Many patients who receive an unrelated Donor transplant have a partially matched
Donor.
If your doctor finds more than one possible adult Donor for you, your doctor will
look at other factors. Doctors also may look at a Donor's age, sex, blood type and
size, the number of times a female Donor has been pregnant and whether the Donor
tests positive for a common virus called Cytomegalovirus(CMV). How quickly you need
a transplant and your disease status, your age and your general health can also
affect your transplant center's strategy when choosing a Donor.
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