Any person whose blood type is most compatible to Diana can be a compatible donor.
As the information of the donor and recipient which is Diana here, there are some basic testing done in order to check for the compatibility. The three main tests done are: blood typing, tissue typing and cross-matching.
• Blood Typing: This test is used to measure the antibodies in blood which are compatible to different blood groups. The Rh factor does not matter here.
Blood Type: Can Donate To:
O A,B, AB, O
A A or AB (O)*
B B or AB
AB AB
Blood Type: Can Receive From:
O O (A)*
A A or O
B B or O
AB A or B or AB or O
• Tissue typing: In this test the HLA of the donor and recipient is matched. HLA or Human Leukocyte Antigen encodes for MHC or major histocompatibility complex in proteins and are responsible for the regulation of immune responses in proteins. The better the HLA match, more successful is the transplant for a longer period of time. The twelve antigens of the donor and the recipient are matched. The second blood test is used to measure the antibodies to HLA.
• Cross matching: A serum cross-match is a blood test the recipient and the donor will have to undergo multiple times including right before the transplantation surgery. Cells from the donor are mixed with recipient’s serum. This is called a positive cross-match which means that the transplant cannot occur.
• Per cent Reactive Antibody (PRA): If the test is positive for HLA antibodies, donor is considered to be “sensitized” and PRA percentage will be greater than 0. If donor has a high level of HLA antibodies, it may be more difficult to find a compatible kidney for the donor.