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.