[Identifying the existence of cultured human epidermal allografts with PCR techniques]

It is still controversial whether cultured human epidermal allografts can survive long or not because of the lack of convincing evidence to prove it. In this study, three PCR techniques for the individual identification were used to test the existence of cultured allogeneic keratinocytes when it has been transplanted to differents kinds of wounds. With these methods, the donor genetic marks were found in 27 biopsies of 16 patients who had cultured epidermal cells allografted. The longest biopsy time was 92 days after grafting. The results strongly indicated that the survival time of cultured epidermal allografts was prolonged. The advantage and disadvantage of using the PCR techniques were discussed and the fate of the cultured epidermal allografts could be determined if these techniques are used properly.