Comparison of serological and molecular (PCR-SSP) techniques of HLA-DR typing in clinical laboratory routine

Advances in molecular biology techniques allowed for introduction of PCR-based methods for HLA typing. In routine HLA typing for organ transplantation serological method is still being used as a standard, although molecular techniques are applied more and more often. The aim of our study was to compare HLA-DR typing using traditional serological method and PCR-SSP methodology in routine clinical laboratory. HLA-DR typing was performed using standard microcytotoxicity assay and PCR-SSP method in 28 patients referred to our Transplantation Immunology Unit for HLA typing. Comparison of results obtained by both methods revealed no discrepancies in 5 patients, in 12 patients the PCR-SSP typing showed additional DR antigens or splits of antigens. In 11 patients serological typing turned out to be impossible because of technical problems. Molecular PCR typing allowed for precise antigen determination in all the patients. Comparing both methods we found PCR-SSP HLA typing method very useful in routine HLA-DR determination, especially valuable in patients, in whom some problems in serological testing are expected.