Laboratory of HLA Serology

The Laboratory of HLA Serology is engaged in:

• serotyping of HLA antigens (Human Leukocyte Antigens = a major histocompatibility complex)
• screening and identification of HLA antibodies
• provision of lymphocytotoxic crossmatch tests

The basic serological method used for all the mentioned examinations is the standard microlymphocytotoxic test.

Serotyping of HLA class I antigens is performed chiefly:

• with specialized donors of blood and blood components, especially thrombocytes destined to refractory patients
• in patients  with thrombocytes transfusion refractoriness
• within differential diagnostics of some diseases in the field of rheumatology, immunology, ophthalmology and others; individual HLA antigens are also identified (mainly HLA-B27)

Screening and identification of HLA antibodies is performed:

• in the framework of complex prevention of allosensitization to HLA in polytransfunded patients, especially in potential candidates to hematopoietic stem cells transplantation
• in the selection of HLA-matched donor for patients already refractory to thrombocytes  products administration
• in the prevention of TRALI (Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury), a serious post-transfusion complication, in blood donors who had immunization  stimuli (transfusion, pregnancy) in their anamnesis

Lymphocytotoxic crossmatch is performed:

• in the selection of thrombocyte donors for refractory or potentially refractory patients
• before the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells from HLA-haploidentical donors

The laboratory staff members are involved in teaching activity in the framework of  post-graduate education of physicians and non-physicians with a university degree.

The Laboratory of HLA Serology is accredited by the Czech Accreditation Institute (CAI) according to the Czech standard ČSN EN ISO 15189:2007.