Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 14 Pages: 1

robynt

Posts: 22
From: brighton
Registered: 16-Nov-2006

tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 16:00

Reply

i went to harefield for my 18th pre tx checkup the other day. ive been told i may have some tissue type antibodies. does anyone else pre transplant have these? or did any of you have have had a tx have them? i know women that have had kids, and people that have had blood transfusions often have them (not sure why i do). i am worried they will reduce my chances of getting a tx.

jac

Posts: 19
From: Scotland
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 16:29

Reply

Hi
I also have some tissue type antibodies (I am on Tx list). I had a blood transfusion once when I was a child, so it may be from that.

Basically these are antibodies that react with certain 'matching' antigens on the surface of the donors cells. Therefore if you received organs from someone with this 'matching antigen', it could trigger a rejection reaction. However, there are lots of different types of antibodies, so its effect on chance of Tx are varying. For example in my case, I have been told that only about 5% of the population carry the antigen that matches the antibody I have. Therefore I am only excluded from receiving organs from such donors, but 5% isn't much.

Also some people do have tissue type antibodies, but if they are very 'weak' they can still receive organs from any donor.

I'm sure your Tx team will be able to tell you more statistics if you think that would be helpful to clarify your own situation.

good luck!
jac

robynt

Posts: 22
From: brighton
Registered: 16-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 18:08

Reply

thanks for that. im havin more tests on tues to find out the percentage score you mentioned. when they have tested me before, i hadnt shown any, but apparently they have broadened the scope of the testing and lots more people are showing antibodies than previously. i was really confused cos originally they phoned up asked if id had a pregnancy in the last six months!

pinkgirl

Posts: 77
From: Ireland
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 19:22

Reply

Hi,

I'm not sure if I had tissue antibodies, but I did have the CMV thingy which my donor didnt. I know over here, if you are negative for the CMV, then they wont give you a donor who had it.

Don't know if this applies to your question, but just a bit of info anyhoo, x

salli

Posts: 22
From: worcester
Registered: 21-Mar-2004

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 30-Nov-2006 20:32

Reply

I was talked about anti-bodies at papworth just, I didnt have a clue,and to be fair I still dont, what is CMV>>??
Ive had children, so does that make me more likely to have the antibody thing???

robynt

Posts: 22
From: brighton
Registered: 16-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 01-Dec-2006 08:59

Reply

yeah it does make you more likely, but i would have thought they would have told you if you did. i dont know what a cmv is either, enlighten us pinkgirl!

andrewh

Posts: 860
From: South London
Registered: 06-Feb-2004

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 01-Dec-2006 09:08

Reply

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a type of virus (from the Herpes family). In organ transplantation it is vital that someone who is CMV negative doesn't receive donor organs from someone who was CMV positive.

I found this link which gives plenty of information on CMV so hope that helps http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40000377/

Andy

drp1967

Posts: 3
From: Southampton, UK
Registered: 01-Dec-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 01-Dec-2006 09:46

Reply

Hi Robyn,
I had a number of blood transfusions prior to my heart / lung transplant and was told that I had a number of antibodies as a result. I was also CMV negative. However, I still received a transplant in February 2005. I hope that this gives you some positive encouragement.

I hope that you are keeping as well as you can and that your call comes soon.

Take care
David.

drp1967

Posts: 3
From: Southampton, UK
Registered: 01-Dec-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 01-Dec-2006 09:46

Reply

Oops, I received my transplant in Feb 1995 NOT 2005 - what a dope!!

David

robynt

Posts: 22
From: brighton
Registered: 16-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 01-Dec-2006 10:50

Reply

thats even more impressive! 11 years, congrats. did you go to southampton general, thats where i go now.

drp1967

Posts: 3
From: Southampton, UK
Registered: 01-Dec-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 04-Dec-2006 07:57

Reply

No, I used to live in Kent and went to the Brompton. In fact I still go to the Brompton once or twice a year.
Take care and look after yourself

David.

pinkgirl

Posts: 77
From: Ireland
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 04-Dec-2006 11:09

Reply

Thank you Andrew for answering the CMV question. Basically its a virus, which I must have come in contact at one stage or a another, perhaps years ago. Once you have come in contact with it, your body remembers it and makes memory cells (I think...something along those lines) BUT after you have a transplant, because your immune system is so shabby, the CMV can become 'active'(?) again, so you can get sick. Don't think it would be anything life threatening, but sick all the same.

Andrew, are you sure a negative patient can't receive from a postitive donor? I was under the impression from my transplant nurse that you could? Hmmmm....

Angel

Posts: 491
From: London
Registered: 17-Feb-2004

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 04-Dec-2006 11:13

Reply

As far as I understand it it's not that you cant receive an organ from a CMV positive donor, it's that on doing so you may be at risk from additional complications. Our little friend who is 6 years old and had a heart tx this summer received hers from a CMV+ donor despite being negative herself and is currently in hospital undergoing treatment from a related complication.

pinkgirl

Posts: 77
From: Ireland
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 04-Dec-2006 20:38

Reply

Yup Angel, that was my understanding of it too

x

andrewh

Posts: 860
From: South London
Registered: 06-Feb-2004

Re: tx - tissue type antibodies
Posted: 04-Dec-2006 21:00

Reply

Hi pinkgirl,

I'm sure you and Angel are correct in what you say about CMV negative Tx patients & positive donor organs. My memory of such details from my time on the list fades the older I get!

Andy