The benefit of HLA-matching in kidney transplantation

A successful kidney transplant is the most effective treatment for patients with end-stage renal insufficiency, and provides the best chance of good long term rehabilitation while restoring the quality of life of the patient. When undertaking these procedures the transplant physician will aim for the best possible degree of tissue compatibility between the donor and the recipient. This has always been the ground rule in the allocation of cadaveric donor organs. However, a perfect tissue match (fully identical HLA-A+B+DR antigens, or a zero HLA-mismatch) can be achieved only for a minority of the patients.