Hla-b Locus Typing

What is HLA-B Locus Typing test?

An HLA-B locus typing test identifies a person's specific Human Leukocyte Antigen-B (HLA-B) proteins, a type of cell-surface protein crucial for the immune system's ability to distinguish between self and non-self. This test is vital for determining a patient's risk for drug hypersensitivities, genetic susceptibility to certain autoimmune diseases like Ankylosing Spondylitis and Behcet's Disease, and for matching donors for organ and bone marrow transplants by assessing potential immune rejection.

Why consider HLA-B Locus Typing test?

• Transplant compatibility: HLA‑B mismatches contribute to alloimmune risk; knowing exact HLA‑B alleles supports donor selection, virtual crossmatch interpretation, and immunosuppression planning in solid‑organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• Antibody assessment: HLA‑B typing helps interpret donor‑specific antibody results from solid‑phase assays and predict crossmatch outcomes, reducing rejection risk.

Who should get tested for HLA-B Locus Typing test?

• Transplant candidates and potential donors: Individuals evaluated for kidney, liver, heart, lung, or HSCT where HLA information guides match grading and allocation decisions.
• Sensitized patients: Recipients with class I antibodies where allele‑level HLA‑B data improves virtual crossmatch and risk stratification for donor offers.
• Patients needing HLA‑linked drug screening: Individuals starting therapies with known HLA‑B–associated hypersensitivity risk, as per clinical protocols and regional guidance

More Information about HLA‑B typing / HLA‑B allele typing

HLA is central to transplant compatibility: matching donor and recipient HLA types and ensuring no donor‑specific HLA antibodies are present reduces rejection risk, improves graft survival, and guides immunosuppression strategies. A mismatch between a donor's and recipient's HLAs can trigger an immune response, leading to graft (transplanted organ or tissue) rejection. HLA matching aims to find a donor whose HLAs are as similar as possible to the recipient's, which increases the likelihood of graft acceptance and reduces the risk of rejection and other complications.

OTHER NAMES: HLA‑B typing / HLA‑B allele typing.