Polymerase Chain Reaction-Sequence Specific Primer (PCR-SSP) versus Serology in typing of HLA-A, -B and -C in Iranian patients

Background – Histocompatibility locus antigen (HLA) class I typing by serology is the most common method in the routine clinical setting. With DNA sequence information available for alleles of the HLA system and the development of molecular biological techniques, it is possible to tissue type for allelic differences in HLA genes. Methods – In this study, serological HLA-A, -B and -C typing results were compared to typing results obtained using sequence-specific primers in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR-SSP). HLA-A, -B and -C typing was performed on a random Iranian population consisting of 40 healthy individuals. Results – There were 16 blank antigens (antigen not detected) on serological testing, 9 in the A locus and 7 in the B locus. PCR-SSP allowed assignment of 2 of the 9 blanks in the A locus and 3 of the 7 blanks in the B locus. In this study, there was a 31% difference in the two typing methods. Conclusion – DNA typing is necessary, particularly in individuals with uncommon alleles and immunosuppression.