Development of Lymphocytotoxic Antibodies in Hemodialysis Patients

A study was made as to the time of development of lymphocytotoxic antibodies in uremic patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Forty‐one subjects, who did not have such antibodies at the beginning of the treatment, were followed for periods of 3 to 18 months. Each patient was dialyzed twice a week and at each dialysis was exposed to at least 2 units of whole blood, which were used chiefly to prime the dialysis coil. Monthly serum samples were examined for lymphocytotoxic antibodies. The frequency of antibody development in these patients was found to be 0% at 3 months, 17,5% at 6 months, 38.6% at 1 year and 59.6% at 1½2 years from the commencement of hemodialysis.