Comparative study for the detection of peritubular capillary C4d deposition in human renal allografts using different methodologies

We have found that all methodologies and antibodies tested provided adequate results with only minor differences between them. Perhaps the most sensitive method is the 3-step indirect IF on frozen sections using one of the monoclonal antibodies. We prefer the 2-step indirect IF method with the Quidel monoclonal antibody because of its simplicity, quick turnaround time, and relatively low cost. The advantages and disadvantages of the individual methodologies are discussed.