Prevalence of HLA antibodies and its impact on graft function in a group of kidney transplant recipients:: A cross-sectional study

HLA alloantibodies (Abs) are associated with chronic rejection and poorer graft survival. The current study was designed to document the prevalence of HLA Abs in a group of kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and its impact on graft function. Patients and Methods. 283 KTR transplanted between January 1990 and December 2003 who had a functional graft were invited to participate. 198 KTR were enrolled. HLA class I and II Abs were measured by Luminex-One Lambda. Graft function was assessed by Delta Cr and GFR calculated by the Levey formula. Results. Median post-kidney transplant (post-KT) follow-up was 51.4 (4.3 to 176.3) months. Forty-four (22.2%) KTR were found to have class I and/or class II Abs. Eleven had both class I and II Abs, ten were positive only for class I, and 23 for class II. Overall, no significant difference was seen in renal function. The Delta Cr for Ab positive and Ab negative were -0.24 +/- 0.84 and -0.17 +/- 0.60 mg/dL (P=0.54), respectively. The GFR for Ab positive and Ab negative were 64.4 +/- 26 and 60.2 +/- 20 mL/min (P=0.25), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between HLA Abs and number of HLA mismatches, gender, blood transfusions, pre-KT pregnancies, DGF, history of acute rejection, and chronic allograft nephropathy. Adjusting analysis by transplant year showed no significant difference. Conclusion. The prevalence of HLA antibodies was similar to previous reports. In this cross-sectional study, the presence of HLA antibodies was not related to a negative impact on renal function.