Can a carrier (heterozygote) of the Wilson disease gene donate part of his/her liver tissue for a Living Related Donor Transplant to a patient?
Yes, a heterozygote can donate part of his/her liver if it is otherwise healthy, the blood type is compatible, and there are no other medical contraindications. It must also be known with certainty that the donor is just a carrier and does not actually have Wilson disease. This may need to be determined through genetic testing. There are reported cases of heterozygotes donating in this way in the U.S., China, and Japan. Studies show that this option corrects the abnormality of copper metabolism caused by Wilson disease in the recipients. – Dr. Fred Askari, University of Michigan Dr. Michael Schilsky, Weill-Cornell School of Medicine Dr.
