Clinical Significance of Chimerism

Twins have been previously classified as either monozygotic or dizygotic. in recent years, fascinating, non-traditional mechanisms of twinning have been uncovered. We define chimerism versus mosaicism, touch on chimerism in the animal world, and explain timing of chimerism in humans. In addition, we discuss when to suspect chimerism in patients, and how to proceed with diagnostic evaluation and confirmation. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.