What is donor compatibility testing?
Donor compatibility testing refers to specialized diagnostic services for patients waiting for organ transplants and post-transplant monitoring. This testing helps each of our kidney transplant patients to find a donor that matches and improves their chances of a successful transplantation and recovery.
Where can I find donor compatibility testing in New York City?
The Rogosin Institute Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory (IGT) is one of the largest solid-organ immunogenetics laboratories in the Northeast. IGT The IGT laboratory, established in 1985 under the leadership of Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran and Dr. Marilena Fotino, carries the tradition of being one of the first laboratories to provide testing for transplants.
Today, under the direction of Vijay K. Sharma, PhD and Dr. Manikkam Suthanthiran, the laboratory continues to provide the highest quality testing using state of the art technology. A highly professional staff is dedicated to the service of clinicians and their patients. Over the years, the laboratory has grown exponentially in terms of the number of transplant centers it serves and the number of transplant candidates it supports. Currently, Rogosin IGT serves four major transplant centers in the New York/Metropolitan area. It provides laboratory support for kidney, pancreas, heart, liver, lung, and small intestine transplants as well as testing for transfusion support and human stem cell/bone marrow transplantation.
Why is donor compatibility testing used?
Donor compatibility testing is an important part of kidney transplantation, as it can help determine which donors could possibly supply a working kidney to our patients. Everyone’s blood is made up of several different parts, which must closely match your donor’s for the treatment to be successful. These parts include your:
- Blood platelets
- Blood plasma
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
There are also four basic blood types, including O, AB, A, and B. Compatibility testing determines whether your blood type can accept a kidney from the donor and improves the chances that your body will accept the donated kidney.
What does donor compatibility testing involve?
Donor compatibility testing begins with a blood test, which determines what your blood type is and also determines the blood type of a potential kidney donor. Once the blood type is determined, other specialized testing may be done, including:
- HLA testing
- Transplant crossmatching
- Donor compatibility testing
- Antibody screening
What type of blood do I need for a kidney transplant?
- If you have type O blood, you are able to donate to any of the other blood types, including A, B, and AB.
- If you have type A blood, you are able to donate to anyone with A or AB blood types.
- If you have type B blood, you are able to donate to anyone with B or AB blood types.
- If you have type AB blood, you are able to donate to only those with AB blood type.
Hours of Operation/Information/Contact
The Rogosin Institute’s Immunogenetics and Transplantation Laboratory provides the highest quality testing for transplantation using state of the art technology. A highly professional staff is dedicated to the service of clinicians and their patients. The IGT laboratory is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM – 10:00 PM. IGT on-call staff is available for emergency testing 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7).
For additional information regarding our services please call (212) 772-6700 or (646) 317-0277.
