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Crossmatching is a medical and scientific process used to verify the compatibility of blood and tissues for transplantation. This procedure is essential to prevent serious complications or even death from an adverse reaction to a graft.

The crossmatching process typically begins with the collection of blood samples from the recipient and the donor. These samples are then used to perform a series of tests, which may include serological tests, flow cytometry tests, and tissue typing. The goal of these tests is to match the histocompatibility antigens, such as human leukocyte antigens (HLA), between the recipient and the donor.

The crossmatching process ensures that the graft will not be rejected by the immune system of the recipient. A mismatch between the histocompatibility antigens of the recipient and the donor can lead to a rapid and aggressive immune response, resulting in the rejection of the graft.

There are different types of crossmatching tests, including direct and indirect tests. Direct tests involve the direct examination of cells from the recipient's blood mixed with cells from the donor's blood. Indirect tests involve the mixing of serum from the recipient with cells from the donor's blood. The assumptions and accepted hypothesis is that if the cells and serum do not react or react minimally, then they will avoid graft failure and graft-versus-host disease.

Crossmatching has become an essential step in the transplantation process, helping to ensure the safety and success of organ and tissue transplants.