Racial differences in organ donation, recipient diseases, and survival following liver transplantation.

D ESPITE genetic differences in the prevalence of blood groups and HLA antigens between the various races, the effect of the race of the donor and that of the recipient on outcome in clinical liver transplantation have never been investigated. The aims of the present study were to determine: 1. The proportion of organs contributed to the liver transplantation program at the University of Pittsburgh by the major racial groups present in the United States 2. If transplantation across racial groups has any effect on transplantation outcome of the recipient 3. The frequency of the various liver diseases that required liver transplantation in individuals of different races seen at this center