Antibody test HLA From the tests that a doctor performs before an organ transplant to help find a working donor organ in your body, in the “Check Yourself” series, we learn about the antibody test HLA And its importance, according to the US University of Rochester website.
organ transplant
Antibody test checks HLA your blood for antibodies against a cellular marker called human leukocyte antigen (HLA)HLA).
Different forms of antibodies to . are involved HLA In autoimmune diseases, these are diseases in which the body attacks its own tissues, so the test was used HLA Also to identify these diseases.
play antibodies HLAs They play an important role in protecting you from infection, but they also make organ transplantation more complicated. HLAs They are protein tags found in nearly all of your body’s cells. They help tell the immune system which cells belong in your body – and they shouldn’t be attacked, and they tell the immune system which invaders are to fight them.
Some people who need a transplant have antibodies against HLAs But most people do not have these antibodies.
Pregnant women and people who have had blood transfusions or transplants may have these antibodies These antibodies can cause your body to reject a transplanted organ immediately or may cause the organ to stop working over time.
To find a match it is important that the doctor measures any antibodies to HLA in the bloodstream.
The importance of the HLA antibody test
You may need this test if you need an organ transplant from another person or if your kidneys, lungs, or other organ can no longer work properly.
This test helps give you the best possible chance that the implant will work well in your body. You may also need this test if your doctor thinks you may have an autoimmune disease.
What other tests might you do with this test?
In addition to testing HLA, you may have:
A test that looks at the type of particles HLA Found on the surface of the immune system cells, this helps to ensure that the donor is well-matched.
DNA testing for genes associated with HLA. This test requires that a sample of cells, usually cells of the immune system, be taken from a blood sample.
Test results
Your results will show if you have certain types of antibodies that can cause a problem after transplant.
Some people have these antibodies, and some don’t.
