HLA Serology Laboratory

The workplace is integrated into the Complement of laboratories IHBT. It continuously upholds an independent and impartial assessment of the expert competence of the Complement of laboratories according to the standard ČSN EN ISO 15189, the application of which is verified by the Czech Institute for Accreditation. Examination methods within the scope of accreditation are defined by the annex to the Accreditation Certificate in its current version, which is available on the website IHBT.

The HLA serology laboratory is engaged in the detection and identification of HLA antibodies (HLA = Human Leukocyte Antigens – the major histocompatibility system of humans), further in performing lymphocytotoxic crossmatch tests (lymphocyte cross-matching) and serotyping of HLA antigens. The basic method used for the aforementioned tests is the standard lymphocytotoxic test. Furthermore, highly sensitive solid-phase methods are used for the detection and identification of HLA antibodies (techniques using microbeads and the Luminex instrument).

Screening and identification of HLA antibodies is performed:

• within the scope of prevention of HLA allosensitization in polytransfused patients, especially in patients indicated for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• in the selection of HLA compatible blood donors for patients who are already refractory to platelet product transfusions
• in the prophylaxis of severe transfusion reactions, especially TRALI (Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury), following transfusion of blood products from blood donors who have an immunization stimulus in their medical history (transfusion, pregnancy)

Lymphocytotoxic crossmatch is applied:

• in the selection of transfusion product donors to improve the effectiveness of blood therapy and prevent transfusion reactions
• in the selection of HLA haploidentical donors of blood-forming stem cells before transplantation 

Serotyping of HLA Class I antigens is performed especially:

• in specialized blood and blood component donors, especially platelets, intended for refractory patients
• in patients refractory to platelet product transfusions
• within differential diagnosis of certain diseases in the field of rheumatology, immunology, ophthalmology and others; individual HLA antigens are also determined (especially HLA-B27)

Laboratory staff participate in educational activities as part of specialized training for physicians, non-medical university students and medical laboratory technicians.

Staff members are bound by confidentiality according to the Act on Health Care, 372/2011 Coll.

Trust and high data security is one of the fundamental priorities within the activities of the Complement of laboratories IHBT. Established procedures are conducted in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act 110/2019 Coll., and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/EC. More information is available on the website IHBT.