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Published on: May 5, 2022
Presence of Panel-reactive Antibodies after Penetrating Keratoplasty
Albert Y Cheung1, Joseph H Jeffrey2, Khaliq H Kurji3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Eye Consultants/CVP Physicians, Norfolk, Virginia, USA.
Purpose:
To evaluate the relationship between penetrating keratoplasty (PK) and postoperative PRA level and number of unacceptable antigens.
Methods:
A cross-sectionalstudy was performed on patients with history of PK. Patients with prior solid organ transplantation, pregnancy, or blood transfusion were excluded. These findings were combined with a retrospective review. Patients were grouped by single or multiple PKs. The primary outcome was postoperative PRA level.
Results:
Incidence of postoperative PRA elevation and mean peak PRA was higher in the multiple PK group (p = .08 and p = .010, respectively). Mean number of unacceptable antigens was elevated in the multiple PK group (p = .024). There was a moderately positive correlation between number of PK grafts and PRA level (r = 0.629, p = .0002).
Conclusions:
PRA level may be influenced by PKs, with higher PRA associated with increased prior PKs. Further studies are necessary to determine the potential prognostic value.Abbreviations: PK: penetrating keratoplasty; PRA: panel reactive antibodies; OSST: ocular surface stem cell transplantation; LSCD: limbal stem cell deficiency.
