Detection of HLA alleles associated with diseases
HLA department ÚHKT organizes quality control "Detection of HLA alleles associated with diseases" since 2010.
This quality control is included among international proficiency testing programs of the European Federation for Immunogenetics.
The following variants are offered within EPT:
- DQ locus alleles associated with coeliac disease (DQA1*02, *03, *05 ; DQB1*02, *03:02)
- B*27 (association with Morbus Bechterew and other rheumatoid autoimmune diseases)
- DQB1*06:02 (association with narcolepsy)
- DRB1 epitopes (association with rheumatoid arthritis)
- C*06 (association with psoriasis)
- B*57:01 (hypersensitivity to abacavir administration in HIV patients)
- A*02:01 (treatment of uveal melanoma using Kimmtrak®)
- HLA-C1/C2 KIR binding groups (infertility treatment)
Results submitted from laboratories are compared during evaluation with complete genotyping of samples performed by the organizer using standardized methods accredited by the Czech Institute for Accreditation, a.s. and the European Federation for Immunogenetics. Results are assessed as satisfactory if they are in agreement with the organizer in ≥ 90 % in the genotype category of the relevant HLA alleles. For coeliac disease association, agreement must also be ≥ 90 % in the serological equivalent category and 100 % in the assignment of results to the correct risk category for association with coeliac disease (association present/rare/absent). All results and their evaluation are published to participants on the website https://ept-hla.uhkt.cz/ . Each laboratory receives a certificate of participation.
Guarantor: Ing. Milena Vraná
(NRL for DNA diagnostics ÚHKT, U Nemocnice 1, 128 20 Prague 2, milena.vrana@uhkt.cz)
Organization:
Based on the submitted registration, we send all participants anonymized DNA samples for the required EPT variants in closed test tubes marked with DNA numbers. Each tube contains approximately 50 μl of DNA at a known concentration. Together with the samples, we send laboratories a link and login credentials for the web interface for recording results. Participants pay a fee according to the selected quality control variant based on an invoice issued by the organizer.
The organization of the variant "DQ locus alleles associated with coeliac disease" is divided into two rounds: first round in March–June (5 samples), second round in August–December (5 samples). According to your needs, you can decide to participate in the first and/or second round. The second round can also be used as a correction opportunity in case of failure in the first round. Please note that after the second round we do not organize any further correction rounds. In case of failure in the second round, you can participate in quality controls in the spring of the following year. Thank you for your understanding.
Other EPT variants, i.e. B*27, DQB1*06:02, DRB1 epitopes, C*06 and B*57:01, are organized in one round in March-June (5 samples). Upon request, 5 additional samples (total 10 samples) can be sent at no additional cost.
Extraordinary round:
If needed, laboratories can request samples to be sent outside the regular quality control round dates or for associations that are not standardly offered. An extraordinary round must be agreed upon with Ing. Milena Vraná. Based on a binding registration for an extraordinary round, samples are subsequently sent. The price of an extraordinary round is increased by 500,- CZK compared to a regular round. If interested in an extraordinary round, please write to ept-hla@uhkt.cz. An extraordinary round can also be requested as a correction in case of failure in a regular round for all single-round variants.
Recommendations for interpretation of HLA tests for coeliac disease diagnosis can be found in the following article:
Vrana M, Tajtlova J and Mrazek F (2024)
Harmonisation of the HLA tests for the diagnosis of coeliac disease: experiences from the Czech external proficiency testing program.
Front. Genet. 15:1441769.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1441769
- Link to article : https://www.uhkt.cz/expert/laboratories-1/external-proficiency-testing/detection-of-hla-alleles-associated-with-diseases/fgene-15-1441769.pdf
Information on currently ongoing EPT:
On February 18, 2026, the traditional working day "Determination of HLA markers associated with diseases – workshop 2026" took place in the premises of the Medical House of CLS JEP in Prague, organized in cooperation with the Section of Immunogenetics ČSAKI. We thank all speakers and sponsors without whom the workshop could not have taken place, as well as all participants. Details about the completed workshop can be found on the workshop page.
Binding registrations for Round I of quality controls in 2026 can be sent until March 31, 2026. Samples for Round I will be sent during April, please submit your results via the provided web form by May 31, 2026. Sample and corrected results will be published by the end of June 2026. Certificates of participation will also be issued by the beginning of summer holidays 2026.
Registrations for Round II can be sent until August 31, 2026, samples will be distributed during September. We expect your results via the provided web form by October 31, 2026. Sample and corrected results will be published by the end of December 2026. Certificates of participation will also be issued by the end of 2026.
If interested in quality controls, please send your registrations and questions to the email address ept-hla@uhkt.cz.
Please note that the procedure for evaluating results of the association of DQ locus alleles with coeliac disease has changed and is described in the "Recommendations for diagnosis of HLA predisposition to coeliac disease from 2023", which you can find below.