Blood Type O- with Multiple Antigens in Living Kidney Donation: Compatibility Assessment
For a living kidney donor with O- blood type and the specified antigen profile, comprehensive HLA typing and crossmatching are essential to determine compatibility with the intended recipient and minimize rejection risk.
ABO Blood Type Significance
The O- blood type is particularly valuable in living kidney donation because:
- Type O donors are universal donors for ABO compatibility, able to donate to recipients with any blood type (O, A, B, or AB) 1
- The negative Rh factor (O-) further increases compatibility options
- ABO compatibility is the first critical step in determining donor-recipient matching 1
HLA Antigen Significance
The extensive antigen profile provided indicates a detailed HLA typing that includes:
- Class I antigens: A, B, C (including C-, c+)
- Class II antigens: DP, DQ, DR (including E-, e+)
- Minor blood group antigens: Duffy (Fy), Kidd (Jk), Kell (K, k), etc.
Key Compatibility Considerations:
HLA Matching Priority:
Crossmatching Requirements:
Antibody Assessment:
Clinical Implications
Rejection Risk Assessment:
- The extensive antigen profile allows for precise matching with potential recipients
- Eplet mismatches (specific amino acid sequences within HLA molecules) may better predict rejection risk than broad antigen matching 2
- Recipients with ≥20 eplet mismatches have 2.16 times higher risk of acute rejection 2
Paired Donation Consideration:
- If direct donation is not possible due to incompatibility, kidney paired donation should be considered 1
- O- donors are particularly valuable in paired donation chains due to their universal donor status
Post-Transplant Management:
Practical Approach to Compatibility Assessment
Initial Screening:
- Confirm ABO compatibility between donor and recipient
- Perform HLA typing for Class I (A, B, C) and Class II (DP, DQ, DR) 1
Detailed Compatibility Testing:
Risk Stratification:
- Low risk: 0-2 HLA mismatches, negative crossmatch, no DSA
- Moderate risk: 3-4 HLA mismatches, negative crossmatch, no DSA
- High risk: 5-6 HLA mismatches, history of sensitization, or presence of DSA 4
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't rely solely on broad antigen matching: Eplet mismatches may better predict rejection risk, especially in recipients considered low immunological risk (0-2 broad antigen mismatches) 2
- Don't ignore historical sensitization: Previous pregnancies, transfusions, or transplants can increase rejection risk 5
- Don't overlook the importance of HLA-DQ matching: Recent evidence suggests HLA-DQ matching significantly impacts long-term outcomes 1
By thoroughly evaluating this detailed antigen profile, transplant teams can optimize donor-recipient matching, minimize rejection risk, and maximize graft survival in living kidney donation.