What does a high panel reactive antibody result indicate regarding transplant eligibility?

A high panel reactive antibody (PRA) result indicates an increased risk of rejection for transplant candidates. This is because the PRA test measures the presence of antibodies in the blood that may react against foreign tissue, such as that from a donor organ. A high PRA suggests that a patient has a significant number of antibodies against potential donor antigens, indicating that the immune system is more likely to identify a transplanted organ as foreign and mount an immune response against it. This heightened likelihood of rejection can make it more challenging for patients to be matched with a donor organ, as finding an acceptable match that their immune system does not recognize as foreign becomes more complicated. As a result, a high PRA can adversely affect transplant eligibility and increase the risk of post-transplant complications related to rejection.