Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory

We help clinicians and their patients make faster medical decisions for blood and marrow transplant and platelet transfusion. Our task is to test patients and donors for compatibility with respect to marrow transplantation and to quickly and conclusively match patients refractory to platelet transfusion to appropriate platelet donors.

Our Arizona histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory, more commonly called an HLA laboratory (short for human leukocyte antigen), is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and has expert staff who can perform all levels of HLA typing for bone marrow transplant and oncology programs anywhere in the United States. No matter which testing procedures you need from us, we want your physicians to be able to make faster, more informed clinical decisions based on our findings.

Our capabilities include:

  • HLA Class I and II DNA High Resolution Typing
    (Whole Blood and Buccal samples accepted)
  • HLA Antibody Screening and Identification

The HLA laboratory is accredited by the American Society for Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics (ASHI) for performance of high resolution DNA typing of HLA Class I and Class II alleles.

For clinical consultations, please call (602) 343-7062.

Contact us to discuss any of our tests or services.

Download the HLA Requisition Form (BS 320H).

Complete Test Listings
Laboratory Category Test Name Description Turn Around Times Sample, Packaging & Shipping Requirements Form
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant Buccal Swab DNA Isolation for High Resolution Testing

Isolation of highly purified DNA from a buccal swab sample for high resolution testing

 NA Buccal swab HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant Buccal Swab DNA Isolation for Low/Intermediate Resolution

Isolation of highly purified DNA from a buccal swab sample for low to intermediate resolution testing

 NA Buccal swab HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant CD3

Determination of absolute count & percentage of CD3 T lymphocytes in peripheral blood or apheresis product for subsequent donor leukocyte infusion by flow cytometry

 3 hours from sample receipt, when lab notified in advance Samples must be received within 24 hours of collection. EDTA 3mL of anticoagulated whole blood; EDTA 0.5mL of pheresis unit, cord blood or bone marrow anticoagulated HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant Chimerism Studies

Testing of post transplant blood samples for percentage mixture of donor and patient DNA

 3-5 Business Days Pre-transplant DNA from recipient and donor; Post-transplant sample from recipient; 5-7 mL EDTA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA (A,B,C,DR,DQ) HR for Patient or unrelated Donor Typing to include DRB3/4/5

Sequenced Based Typing (SBT) and/or DNA based assay for HLA A, B C, DR and DQ alleles provides a high-resolution HLA phenotype for new transplant patients and their potential unrelated donors

 7±2 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Cord blood sample: 0.5 - 1ml; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA (A,B,C) Supplemental HR

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA A,B,C alleles following preliminary HLA (A,B,DR) IR typing of transplant patient siblings

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA (A,B,DR) IR

DNA based assay provides initial intermediate resolution (2 digits) typing of HLA A, B, DR for preliminary assessment of histocompatibility in siblings of transplant recipient

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Cord blood sample: 0.5 - 1ml; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood Donor Typing, Platelet Refractory Panel HLA (A,B) IR for Apheresis Platelet Donors

DNA based assay provides intermediate resolution (2 digits) of HLA-A,B alleles. Typing apheresis donor is required prior to donating for HLA matched platelets.

 21-30 business days 5-7 mL EDTA; shipped within 7 days of collection HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA, IRL Platelet Refractory Panel, Platelet Testing HLA (A,B) IR for Patient Platelet Transfusions

DNA based assay provides intermediate resolution (2 digits) typing of HLA-A,B alleles. Typing required for patient before search for HLA matched platelets.

 48 hours Adults: 10-20 mL EDTA; Adults WBC <4x10^6/mL or 4000/µL: 20-40 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: Consult with laboratory Form BS 313, HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA (DR,DQ) Supplemental HR to include DRB3/4/5

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing to determine phenotype for selected siblings of transplant recipient

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA A, Supplemental HR

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA A alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA, IRL HLA Class I & II Antibody Screen and ID, Platelet Refractory Panel HLA Antibody ID Class I

Identification of antibody specificities to HLA Class I (A,B,C) antigens by Luminex microbead array methodology

 3 business days 10 mL clotted whole blood in red top tube; blood specimens may be kept at room temperature and shipped at room temp or 24C up to 4 days after collection; OR separated serum from clot tube may be refrigerated at 4C and shipped up to 7 days from date of draw Form BS 313, HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA HLA Class I & II Antibody Screen and ID HLA Antibody ID Class II

Identification of antibody specificities to HLA Class II (DR,DQ,DP) antigens by Luminex microbead array methodology

 3 business days 10 mL clotted whole blood in red top tube; blood specimens may be kept at room temperature and shipped at room temp or 24C up to 4 days after collection; OR separated serum from clot tube may be refrigerated at 4C and shipped up to 7 days from date of draw Form BS 313, HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA, IRL HLA Class I & II Antibody Screen and ID, Platelet Refractory Panel HLA Antibody Screen

Screen for antibodies to HLA Class I (A,B,C) and Class II (DR,DQ,DP) and MIC antigens by Luminex microbead array methodology

 3 business days 10 mL clotted whole blood in red top tube; blood specimens may be kept at room temperature and shipped at room temp or 24C up to 4 days after collection; OR separated serum from clot tube may be refrigerated at 4C and shipped up to 7 days from date of draw Form BS 313, HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA B, Supplemental HR

DNA based assay to provide high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA B alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA C, Supplemental HR

DNA based assay to provide high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA C alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class I (A,B,C) HR

DNA based assay used to achieve definition at high resolution (4 digits) of Class I HLA-A,B,C alleles

 7±2 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class I (A,B,C) IR

DNA based assay provides low to intermediate resolution (2 digits) assignment of Class I HLA-A,B,C alleles

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class I Single Locus IR (e.g. B*27)

DNA based typing of any single locus provides intermediate resolution (2 digits) typing to determine presence or absence of 1 or 2 antigens/alleles named by client for disease association or research purposes

 7-10 Business Days 5-10mL EDTA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class II (DR,DQ) HR to include DRB3/4/5

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DRB1, DRB3/4/5 and DQB1 alleles following preliminary HLA (A,B,DR) IR typing of transplant patient siblings

 7±2 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class II (DR,DQ) IR

DNA based assay provides low to intermediate resolution (2 digits) assignment of Class II HLA DR, DQ alleles.

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Class II Single Locus IR (e.g. DQ2, DQ8)

DNA based typing of any single locus provides intermediate resolution (2 digits) typing to determine presence or absence of 1 or 2 antigens/alleles named by client for disease association or research purposes

 7-10 Business Days 5-10mL EDTA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DPA1 HR

DNA based assay to provide high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DPA1 alleles

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DPB1 HR

DNA based assay to provide high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DPB1 alleles

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DQA1 HR

DNA based assay to provide high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DQA1 alleles

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DQB1 Supplemental HR

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DQB1 alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DRB1 Supplemental HR

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DRB1 alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA DRB3/4/5 Supplemental HR

DNA based assay provides high resolution (4 digits) typing of HLA DRB3/4/5 alleles with previous LR results

 5-7 Business Days Adults (normal WBC): 10-20 mL EDTA; Pediatrics: 3-7 mL EDTA or anticoagulated whole blood, depending on age of child; Buccal swabs are acceptable or frozen DNA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA, IRL Platelet Refractory Panel HLA Matched Platelet Pheresis Donor Search

Search of maintained registry of previously HLA typed donors to identify suitably HLA matched or compatible platelet pheresis donors for patients who are refractory to random donor platelets due to HLA antibodies. For patients that have previously completed HLA A,B typing or concurrent orders for HLA typing.

 Same Day NA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA Priority Services

Reduced reporting time arranged by lab supervisor

 NA NA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA Blood & Marrow Transplant HLA STAT After Hours

Reduced reporting time arranged by lab supervisor

 NA NA HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
HLA, IRL Platelet Refractory Panel, Platelet Testing Platelet Antibody Detection

The Capture-P Ready Screen Solid Phase System is designed to detect IgG- HPA and -HLA antibodies. The assay does NOT differentiate between HLA or HPA antibodies. The assay is not designed to detect complement components or antibodies of the IgM or IgA class.

 Depends upon request; See TAT description 3-7 mL EDTA (plasma) or serum tube (no gel separators). Sample must be received in the IRL no later than 30 hrs after collection. Shipped in a container maintaining temperature between 1C - 10C Form BS 313
HLA, IRL Platelet Refractory Panel Platelet Refractory Panel

Platelet antibody screen and crossmatch, HLA A,B typing, HLA matched platelet donor search, HLA antibody screen (if positive, HLA antibody identification Class I)

 48 hours Three EDTA whole blood, and 5-7 mL clot (serum) tube (no gel separators). Sample must be received in the IRL no later than 30 hrs after collection. Icteric, hemolyzed and/or lipemic samples interfere with test and should not be tested as per package insert. Shipped in a container maintaining temperature between 1C - 10C Form BS 313, HLA Requisition Form BS 320H
Complete Test Listings