CPT® Code 86806

The CPT® Code 86806 refers to a laboratory test known as the lymphocytotoxicity assay with a visual crossmatch, performed without titration. This assay is crucial in the field of transplantation medicine, as it evaluates the compatibility between a recipient's and a donor's blood. Specifically, it measures the lymphocytotoxicity, which is the ability of the recipient's immune cells to react against the donor's cells, thereby identifying patients who may be at risk for antibody-mediated damage to organ or tissue grafts. The test is particularly relevant for individuals undergoing solid organ transplants, such as kidney, heart, and lung transplants, as well as for patients being considered for refractory platelet and/or bone marrow transplants who may possess human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies. HLAs are essential glycoproteins found on cell membranes that play a significant role in the immune response. The presence of specific HLAs can hinder the success of organ and tissue transplants, as they may trigger an immune response against the transplanted material. The lymphocytotoxicity assay employs a complement-dependent method to detect immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies targeting Class I HLA (-A, -B, -C) found on nucleated cells, as well as Class II HLA (-DR, -DQ, -DP) expressed on various immune cells, including B-cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and activated T-cells. A positive result from this crossmatch indicates an increased risk of graft rejection, highlighting the importance of this test in pre-transplant evaluations. For cases where a titration process is necessary, the CPT® Code 86805 should be utilized, which involves adding a known volume of a titrant to a specific quantity of the analyte solution to determine the concentration of antibodies present.