Renal transplantation in the presence of a positive crossmatch.

Eighteen renal transplants have been performed prospectively in the presence of a positive serologic crossmatch against donor B lymphocytes. Four transplants have failed, three from rejection and one from renal artery thrombosis. Fourteen are functioning at 3-17 months after transplant. Thus, a renal transplant may be performed in the presence of a positive B-cell crossmatch in most instances without immediate graft rejection.