Clinical Scorecard: Paul I Terasaki: A Tribute to His Life (September 10, 1929 – January 25, 2016)

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• In 1964, Terasaki introduced the micro-cytotoxicity test for detecting anti-HLA antibodies, revolutionizing HLA typing and cross-matching.
• Developed a simple cold-storage solution for transporting kidneys from deceased donors to optimize HLA compatibility.
• Established the UCLA Tissue Typing Laboratory in 1969, which became a global leader in HLA typing and donor-recipient matching.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Use micro-cytotoxicity testing to detect anti-HLA antibodies for donor-recipient compatibility assessment.

Management

• Employ cold-storage solutions for organ preservation to improve transplant outcomes.
• Utilize HLA typing and cross-matching to select the most compatible organ recipients.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Regularly monitor transplant recipients for anti-HLA antibodies to detect potential humoral rejection.

Risks

• Presence of anti-HLA antibodies increases risk of acute kidney graft rejection.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Kidney transplant recipients requiring donor-recipient compatibility assessment

Accurate detection of anti-HLA antibodies via micro-cytotoxicity testing guides donor selection and reduces rejection risk.

Clinical Best Practices

• Incorporate micro-cytotoxicity testing as standard practice for HLA typing and cross-matching in transplantation.
• Use cold-storage preservation methods to maintain organ viability during transport.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive transplant registries to track donor-recipient matches and outcomes.

References

• Paul I Terasaki and the micro-cytotoxicity test
• UCLA Tissue Typing Laboratory history
• Role of anti-HLA antibodies in transplant rejection