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.