Transplant aspirative cytology: analysis of morphological and immunocytochemical parameters in renal allograft dysfunction

Diagn Cytopathol. 1993;9(2):174-8. doi: 10.1002/dc.2840090213.

Abstract

We have analyzed 245 transplant aspirative cytologies (TACs) from 96 renal allograft patients. TACs were divided in two chronological groups: Early (TACs performed during the first 3-mo posttransplantation) and late (TACs performed after the third month post-transplantation), in order to assess the effect of allograft tolerance on TAC features. Both morphological and immunocytochemical aspects were evaluated, including CD4, CD8, IL2-R, and HLA-DR immunolabeling. A final diagnosis for each case of allograft dysfunction was achieved by other independent diagnostic means. Four diagnostic groups were considered in the present study: acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR), acute tubular necrosis (ATN), and Cyclosporin A toxicity (CsA-T). In addition, a control group (C) was established from patients with stable allograft function. We found that immunocytochemical analysis of TACs is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of late allograft dysfunction, a time period when the simple cytological study of renal infiltrate is not informative enough to help take therapeutic decisions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytological Techniques
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Graft Rejection / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Transplantation / pathology*
  • Suction
  • Time Factors
  • Transplantation, Homologous