What is a panel reactive antibody?

The body naturally produces many different antibodies that help protect against invasion of foreign antigens. Antibodies can also be created by the body to attack tissue, especially another person's tissue. In these cases, when the introduction of foreign tissue, an antibody called a panel reactive antibody (PRA) is created. Blood transfusions, transplantation and pregnancy can cause PR production. These antibodies focus on human leukocyte antigens (HLA) found in human tissue.

The test of reactive antibodies on the panel is a blood test that specifically seeks for a. This test measures the levels of PA that are in the blood. PA levels are particularly important for monitoring in patients waiting for kidney transplantation. If these antibodies are high, the assignment of the recipient with the donor organ can be difficult. Higher levels of the patient increase the chances that the body will reject the organ, which comes from a donor with normal to low levels.

Though pregnancy, previous transplants and KREvaluation of transfusions are common causes of elevated levels of reactive antibodies of the panel; Studies have shown that patients receiving certain drugs such as erythropoetin had a reduction in the amount of blood transfusions that were needed and decreased in the level of the PA. In addition, previous transplants generally cause PA levels to increase if the patient's body seeks to reject the transplant.

Reactive antibody monitoring panel levels are important for kidney transplant candidates. High levels mean that doctors have more difficulty finding the corresponding donor, which may be a problem if immediate transplantation is required. This means that patients with a higher number of PA will have to wait much longer for the appropriate donor kidneys. Patients with elevated levels also have more likely to reject organs and must be administered more advanced regime Anti-Rejection drugs.

Reactive antibodies

panels are based on percentage measurements. The percentage of the blood in the blood plays a role in determining the chances of finding the appropriate donor. If the patient has a higher level of PA, for example 60 percent, 60 out of 100 donors will not match.

There are two techniques that have been found to be successful in reducing the number of reactive antibodies on the panel. Immunadsorption and plasmapheresis are techniques of removal. These two methods deal with removal of antibodies from the blood, but in two different ways.

Immunadsorption involves circulating the patient with a special machine. This machine is specially designed to bind the pig. The reactive antibody of the panel is held on the column in the machine that removes antibodies from the blood. Pure blood then recirculates into the patient's body.

Plasmapherese is similar tomodialysis. The patient is associated with a machine called centrifugation. Red and white blood cells and plates are separated from plasma. SeparatePlasma, which contains the concentration of the reactive antibody of the panel, is discarded. The new, clean plasma is replaced and connected to blood plates and blood cells. The spin then adds new mixed blood back to the patient.