RESUMEN
AIMS: Suicide prevention strategies have shifted in many countries, from a national approach to one that is regionally tailored and responsive to local community needs. Previous Australian studies support this approach. However, most studies have focused on suicide deaths which may not fully capture a complete understanding of prevention needs, and few have focused on the priority population of youth. This was the first nationwide study to examine regional variability of self-harm prevalence and related factors in Australian young people. METHODS: A random sample of Australian adolescents (12-17-year-olds) were recruited as part of the Young Minds Matter (YMM) survey. Participants completed self-report questions on self-harm (i.e., non-suicidal self-harm and suicide attempts) in the previous 12 months. Using mixed effects regressions, an area-level model was built with YMM and Census data to produce out-of-sample small area predictions for self-harm prevalence. Spatial unit of analysis was Statistical Area Level 1 (average population 400 people), and all prevalence estimates were updated to 2019. RESULTS: Across Australia, there was large variability in youth self-harm prevalence estimates. Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia had the highest estimated state prevalence. Psychological distress and depression were factors which best predicted self-harm at an individual level. At an area-level, the strongest predictor was a high percentage of single unemployed parents, while being in an area where ≥30% of parents were born overseas was associated with reduced odds of self-harm. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified characteristics of regions with lower and higher youth self-harm risk. These findings should assist governments and communities with developing and implementing regionally appropriate youth suicide prevention interventions and initiatives.
Asunto(s)
Factores Protectores , Conducta Autodestructiva , Prevención del Suicidio , Humanos , Adolescente , Conducta Autodestructiva/epidemiología , Conducta Autodestructiva/psicología , Prevalencia , Femenino , Masculino , Australia/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo , Niño , Intento de Suicidio/estadística & datos numéricos , Intento de Suicidio/psicología , Análisis Espacial , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/psicologíaRESUMEN
Umbilical cord blood is the preferred donor cell source for children with Inherited Metabolic disorders undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT), and its use has been associated with improved "engrafted survival" and higher donor chimerism compared to other cell sources. However, as in other pediatric cord blood transplants for non-malignant disease, immune-mediated cytopenia and primary graft failure limit its use, and the latter remains the commonest cause of death following cord blood transplant for non-malignant disease. We have previously shown an association between immune-mediated cytopenia and graft failure in inherited metabolic diseases suggesting that both immune-mediated cytopenia and graft failure could be mediated by antibodies from the residual recipient B cells. Since rituximab is effective in depletion of B cells and management of refractory immune-mediated cytopenia following HCT, we have added rituximab to the conditioning regimen. We studied 57 patients in 2 centers who received myeloablative conditioning for cord blood transplant in Hurler syndrome, and report a significant improvement in event-free survival with reduced incidence of graft failure and without any evidence of immune-mediated cytopenia in those patients that had received rituximab.
Asunto(s)
Trasplante de Células Madre de Sangre del Cordón Umbilical , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Mucopolisacaridosis I , Niño , Trasplante de Células Madre de Sangre del Cordón Umbilical/efectos adversos , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiología , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversos , Humanos , Rituximab/uso terapéutico , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the standard of care in children with Hurler syndrome (HS) as it is the only therapy that can arrest disease progression. We examined the incidence, patterns and outcomes of graft failure in all HS children undergoing first HSCT at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital or the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital from 1983 to 2016. Implementation of busulfan pharmacokinetic monitoring started in 2004 in both institutions. Two hundred and forty HS children were included in this analysis (historical era (pre-2004), n=131; current era (post 2004), n=109). The proportion of patients with graft failure was significantly lower in the current era compared with the historical era (37.2% vs 10.1%, respectively). Of 49 patients with graft failure in the historical era, 1 had aplasia and 48 had autologous reconstitution. All the 11 graft failures of the current era occurred in recipients of cord blood transplants (7 aplasia and 4 autologous reconstitution). The outcomes of second transplant in these patients has improved, with 89% of such patients alive and engrafted in the current era compared with 58% in the historical era. The pattern of graft failure has changed from autologous reconstitution, likely secondary to inadequate myelosuppression in the historical era, to aplasia in the current era, likely due to imperfect immunosuppression.
Asunto(s)
Rechazo de Injerto/mortalidad , Rechazo de Injerto/prevención & control , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Mucopolisacaridosis I/mortalidad , Mucopolisacaridosis I/terapia , Adolescente , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
A review of the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) "Guideline for selection and HLA matching of related, adult unrelated donors and umbilical cord units for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation" was undertaken by a BSHI appointed writing committee. Literature searches were performed, and the data extracted were presented as recommendations according to the GRADE nomenclature.
Asunto(s)
Adulto , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad/métodos , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/métodos , Antígenos HLA , Antígenos HLA/inmunología , Donantes de Tejidos , Selección de Donante , Sangre Fetal , Antígenos HLA/genética , Inmunogenética/métodosRESUMEN
A review of the British Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (BSHI) "Guideline for selection and HLA matching of related, adult unrelated donors and umbilical cord units for haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation" was undertaken by a BSHI appointed writing committee. Literature searches were performed, and the data extracted were presented as recommendations according to the GRADE nomenclature.
Asunto(s)
Antígenos HLA/inmunología , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/métodos , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad/métodos , Inmunogenética/métodos , Adulto , Selección de Donante , Sangre Fetal , Antígenos HLA/genética , Humanos , Donantes de TejidosRESUMEN
In vivo T-cell depletion, using alemtuzumab therapy prior to SCT, can reduce the incidence of GVHD. This treatment has a potential to delay immune reconstitution resulting in increased morbidity due to viral illnesses. We retrospectively analyzed data on all pediatric patients with non-malignant disorders who received alemtuzumab-based conditioning regimens in our center over the last 10 yr (n = 91). Our data show an OS of 91.2%. The incidence of acute (grade 2-4) GVHD was 18.7% and that of chronic GVHD 5.5%. Viremia due to adenovirus, EBV and CMV was seen in 19.8%, 64.8% and 39.6% patients, respectively, with only two deaths attributed to viral infection (adenovirus). Chimerism level at three month was predictive of graft outcome. Nine patients, who had graft failure after first SCT, were salvaged with a second SCT using RIC and same donor (if available). Based on these results, we conclude that the use of in vivo T-cell depletion is safe, achieves good chimerism and does not lead to increased morbidity and mortality due to viral infections. It is associated with a reduced incidence of chronic GVHD.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/uso terapéutico , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/métodos , Linfocitos T/inmunología , Adenoviridae/metabolismo , Adolescente , Alemtuzumab , Anemia Aplásica/terapia , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/etiología , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversos , Humanos , Inmunosupresores/uso terapéutico , Incidencia , Lactante , Masculino , Enfermedades Metabólicas/terapia , Estudios Retrospectivos , Quimera por Trasplante , Acondicionamiento Pretrasplante , Trasplante Homólogo , Resultado del Tratamiento , Donante no Emparentado , Viremia/fisiopatología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Accurate human leucocyte antigen (HLA) typing results are essential in determining the degree of compatibility between donor and recipient in both solid organ (SO) and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. Current HLA typing methodologies can generate ambiguous results which may need resolving. This group-specific sequencing approach allowed investigation into the presence of the low expressor HLA-A*24:02:01:02L allele and the rare HLA-A*02:64 allele in a SO transplant recipient and a HSC transplant recipient, respectively. Locus-specific amplification of HLA-A was performed. Exons 2 and 3 were sequenced in both directions followed by group-specific sequencing to resolve ambiguities. Hemizygous sequence data of intron 2 generated from the HLA-A*24 allele indicated the presence of the HLA-A*24:02:01:01 allele. HLA-A*02:64 was identified by sequencing the allele in isolation over exons 2 and 3 and allowed confirmation of this allele sequence with the IMGT/HLA database (Accession number AY297166). This approach is cost efficient and can be modified to sequence alleles at other HLA loci. It has also been adapted to characterize the novel HLA-DQB1*06:48 allele (Accession number HE647646) as well as the non-HLA gene, UGT2B17, making it a useful tool to augment existing typing methodologies.
Asunto(s)
Alelos , Antígenos HLA/genética , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad/métodos , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN/métodos , Secuencia de Bases , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Exones/genética , Genotipo , Antígeno HLA-A24/genética , Cadenas beta de HLA-DQ/genética , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/métodos , Humanos , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Trasplante de Órganos/métodos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Polimorfismo Genético , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Homología de Secuencia de Ácido Nucleico , Donantes de TejidosRESUMEN
Following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, monitoring the proportion of donor and recipient haematopoiesis in the patient (chimerism) is an influential tool in directing further treatment choices. Short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is a method of chimerism monitoring using DNA isolated from peripheral blood, bone marrow or specific isolated cell lineages such as CD3+ T cells. For lineage-specific STR analysis on cell populations isolated from peripheral blood, a qualitative estimation of the purity of each isolated population is essential for the correct interpretation of the test data. We describe a rapid, inexpensive method for the determination of purity using a simple flow cytometry method. The method described for assessing the purity of sorted CD3+ cells can be applied to any cell population isolated using the same technology. Data obtained were comparable to results from a commercial polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method for the assessment of purity (Non-T Genomic Detection Kit, Accumol, Calgary, AB, Canada) (P = 0.59). Of the 303 samples tested by flow cytometry, 290 (95.7%) exceeded 90% purity, and 215 (70.95%) were over 99% pure. There were some outlying samples, showing diversity between samples and the unpredictability of purity of isolated cell populations. This flow cytometry method can be easily assimilated into routine testing protocols, allowing purity assessment in multiple-sorted cell populations for lineage-specific chimerism monitoring using a single secondary antibody and giving results comparable to a PCR-based method. As purity of isolated cell lineages is affected by time after venepuncture and storage temperature, assessment of each sample is recommended to give a reliable indication of sample quality and confidence in the interpretation of the results.
Asunto(s)
ADN/clasificación , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Leucocitos Mononucleares/citología , Quimera por Trasplante/clasificación , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Complejo CD3/genética , Complejo CD3/inmunología , Linaje de la Célula , ADN/genética , Citometría de Flujo , Humanos , Inmunofenotipificación , Leucocitos Mononucleares/clasificación , Leucocitos Mononucleares/inmunología , Repeticiones de Microsatélite , Quimera por Trasplante/genética , Quimera por Trasplante/inmunología , Trasplante HomólogoRESUMEN
Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) is a major cause of early morbidity post-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with minor histocompatibility antigens being a contributing factor. One mHA encoded by the UDP glycosyltransferase 2 family polypeptide B17 (UGT2B17) gene has been shown to be immunogenic because of differential expression in the donor and recipient. We investigated the effects of a homozygous gene deletion of UGT2B17 on the severity of acute aGvHD post-HSCT in HLA-matched related donors. 115 donor and recipient HLA and UGT2B17 genotypes were determined using PCR-SSO and PCR-SSP, respectively. aGvHD grading was determined using routine criteria and dichotomized into either nonclinically significant (0-I) or clinically significant (II-IV). For all analyses, P-values of ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. The frequency of the gene deletion within the total cohort tested was 29.1%. A significant increase in aGvHD severity (grades II-IV) was seen in UGT2B17 recipients expressing the protein when transplanted with a UGT2B17 disparate donor (P = 0.011). We observed a significant association between UGT2B17 expressing recipients and UGT2B17 deficient donors with the severity of aGvHD. This study provides additional evidence that genomic variations may predispose to more severe aGvHD, but are not a mechanism for GvHD.
Asunto(s)
Eliminación de Gen , Glucuronosiltransferasa/genética , Glucuronosiltransferasa/inmunología , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/genética , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/inmunología , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Genotipo , Antígeno HLA-A2/genética , Antígeno HLA-A2/inmunología , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Menor/genética , Oligopéptidos/genética , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
HLA-DQB1*06:48 has single nucleotide polymorphisms within codons 70 and 62 of exon 2 (GGG>AGG and AAG>AAC) relative to HLA-DQB1*06:02:01 and HLA-DQB1*06:37. This results in amino acid differences (G>R and K>N) that will change the polarity and charge of the encoded antigen and may therefore affect its peptide repertoire.
Asunto(s)
Cadenas beta de HLA-DQ/genética , Alelos , Sustitución de Aminoácidos , Pueblo Asiatico , Secuencia de Bases , Variación Genética , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad , Humanos , Masculino , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNAsunto(s)
Antígenos HLA-DR , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Subtipos Serológicos HLA-DR , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas/efectos adversos , Humanos , Lactante , Estimación de Kaplan-Meier , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Prevención Secundaria , Hermanos , Trasplante IsogénicoRESUMEN
CD31 gene polymorphisms are implicated in the pathogenesis of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HST). We investigated the influence of CD31 genotype on the incidence of GvHD following HST from an human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling donor. Donor and recipient CD31 codons 125, 563 and 670 DNA polymorphisms were determined in 85 cases of HLA identical sibling HST from two transplant centres. A correlation between CD31 genotype and acute GvHD was considered significant if observed in patients from both transplant centres independently. A strong correlation was identified between donor CD31 codon 125 genotype and the incidence of acute GvHD. Acute GvHD grades II-IV occurred in 27 of 46 (59%) recipients with a CD31 codon 125 leucine / valine heterozygous donor compared to nine of 39 (23%) recipients with a CD31 codon 125 homozygous donor (P=0.0019, relative-risk 2.45, 95% confidence interval 1.3-4.5). This correlation was significant in patients from both transplant centres (P=0.015 and P=0.019). We suggest that CD31 genotype may influence the function of donor-derived leukocytes and may be informative when there is a choice of comparable donors.
Asunto(s)
Codón/genética , Enfermedad Injerto contra Huésped/genética , Trasplante de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas , Molécula-1 de Adhesión Celular Endotelial de Plaqueta/genética , Polimorfismo Genético , Enfermedad Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Sustitución de Aminoácidos/genética , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Genotipo , Neoplasias Hematológicas/genética , Neoplasias Hematológicas/terapia , Heterocigoto , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , HermanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Mannose binding lectin (MBL) and FcgammaRII (CD32) polymorphisms have both been implicated as candidate susceptibility genes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of these polymorphisms with SLE. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 125 SLE patients from Barcelona, Spain and 138 geographically matched controls. Sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) amplification was used to determine CD32 and MBL structural polymorphisms. MBL haplotypes were established using sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing techniques. RESULTS: Patients carried the MBL codon 54 mutant allele more frequently than controls [odds ratio (OR) 2.2; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.0; P=0.007] and the haplotype HY W52 W54 W57 was found to be significantly lower in cases compared with controls (OR 0.6; 95% CI 0.4-0.9; P=0.016). CONCLUSION: The MBL gene codon 54 mutant allele appears to be a risk factor for SLE, whilst haplotypes encoding for high levels of MBL are protective against the disease. Differences between controls and patients were not significant when considering the FcgammaRIIa polymorphisms; similar results were observed for renal affectation.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Fase Aguda/genética , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/genética , Receptores de IgG/genética , Proteínas de Fase Aguda/metabolismo , Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , ADN/análisis , Frecuencia de los Genes , Haplotipos , Humanos , Lectinas/genética , Lectinas/metabolismo , Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo/genética , Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo/metabolismo , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/metabolismo , Nefritis Lúpica/genética , Nefritis Lúpica/metabolismo , Vasculitis por Lupus del Sistema Nervioso Central/genética , Vasculitis por Lupus del Sistema Nervioso Central/metabolismo , Lectinas de Unión a Manosa , Mutación , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Polimorfismo Genético , Receptores de IgG/metabolismo , EspañaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the prevalence and severity of gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients concomitantly treated with cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocker was associated with functional polymorphisms within the signal sequence of the transforming growth factor-(TGF)beta1 gene. METHODS: The extent and severity of gingival overgrowth for 164 renal transplant recipients immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A and concomitantly taking a calcium channel blocker since transplant were entered into the study (86 in Manchester, 78 in Belfast). Two biallelic polymorphisms of the TGF-beta1 gene were studied at position +869, codon 10 (leucine to proline substitution), and position +915, codon 25 (arginine to proline substitution). RESULTS: Subjects who were homozygous for proline at codon 10 had significantly higher overgrowth scores than those who were heterozygous (P= 0.03) or homozygous for leucine (P= 0.01). Subjects who were heterozygous (arginine/proline) at codon 25 had a significantly higher (P= 0.04) gingival overgrowth score than those who were homozygous for arginine. Logistic regression analysis indicated that for codon 25 independent predictors of severe gingival overgrowth were the heterozygous arginine/proline genotype (P= 0.009) and whether the individual was young (P= 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene influence the expression of gingival overgrowth in renal transplant recipients concomitantly treated with cyclosporin and a calcium channel blocker. The polymorphism in the TGF-beta1 gene at codon 25 represented an independent genetic determinant of severe gingival overgrowth in the susceptible subjects studied.
Asunto(s)
Bloqueadores de los Canales de Calcio/efectos adversos , Ciclosporina/efectos adversos , Sobrecrecimiento Gingival/clasificación , Inmunosupresores/efectos adversos , Trasplante de Riñón , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta/genética , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Alelos , Análisis de Varianza , Arginina/genética , Distribución de Chi-Cuadrado , Codón/genética , Intervalos de Confianza , ADN/genética , Femenino , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Genotipo , Sobrecrecimiento Gingival/inducido químicamente , Sobrecrecimiento Gingival/genética , Heterocigoto , Homocigoto , Humanos , Leucina/genética , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Oportunidad Relativa , Prolina/genética , Factor de Crecimiento Transformador beta1RESUMEN
It was investigated whether a deficiency of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which binds Aspergillus species avidly in vitro, could account for chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA), which is seen most commonly in nonimmunocompromised patients. Blood samples were obtained from 11 patients (10 white) with CNPA and were compared with blood samples from 82 white control subjects. MBL haplotype profiles were determined by polymerase chain reaction, using sequence-specific primers and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing techniques. Seven of the 10 white patients with CNPA had MBL haplotypes that encode for low levels of the protein, compared with 25.6% of the white control subjects (P=.004). Presence of the codon 52 mutation was particularly common in patients with CNPA (P=.015), which suggests a greater involvement of this mutation.
Asunto(s)
Aspergilosis/genética , Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Enfermedades Pulmonares Fúngicas/genética , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Alelos , Colectinas , Genotipo , Haplotipos , Humanos , Mutación , NecrosisRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Findings of a recent study suggested that HLA-DRB1 alleles encoding the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) "shared epitope" (SE) were not predictive of erosive damage at 2 years in patients with early inflammatory arthritis who were rheumatoid factor (RF) positive, but were predictive in those who were RF negative. The present study was undertaken to determine whether RF status was also important in the association between the SE and radiographic outcome in patients with longstanding RA. METHODS: The association between radiographic outcome, HLA-DRBI, and RF status was examined in 299 RA patients with established disease (5-30 years). Radiographic outcome was measured by scoring radiographs of the hands and feet using the standard radiographs of Larsen. HLA-DRB1 typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction methodology. Results were stratified by RF status and analyzed by multiple regression. RESULTS: An association between radiographic severity and the SE was found in RF-, but not RF+, patients. RF- patients carrying an SE allele had higher Larsen scores than RF- patients lacking the SE, although there was no association with SE dosage. The mean Larsen score was significantly higher in RF+ patients than in RF- patients, but there were no differences between RF+ patients with 0, 1, or 2 SE alleles. Multiple regression analysis confirmed independent associations of RF and SE positivity with radiographic outcome. No significant associations were found between RF and the SE, or RF and individual SE alleles. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that RF and the SE are independently associated with radiographic outcome in RA. In RF+ patients with longstanding RA, there is no apparent association between the presence of the SE and radiographic damage. However, in RF-patients, although radiographic outcome is generally less severe, there is an association between severity and presence of the SE.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagen , Antígenos HLA-DR/genética , Factor Reumatoide/sangre , Adulto , Anciano , Alelos , Artritis Reumatoide/sangre , Artritis Reumatoide/inmunología , Epítopos/genética , Epítopos/inmunología , Femenino , Antígenos HLA-DR/inmunología , Cadenas HLA-DRB1 , Prueba de Histocompatibilidad , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Radiografía , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
We have developed a short-form SSP-based HLA-DP typing system for routine use adapted from a comprehensive HLA-DP typing method described by Gilchrist et at. (1998). Our short-form system detects 93 alleles, including the 18 most common HLA-DPB1 alleles and eight HLA-DPA1 alleles. The primer mixes described were tested using the PCR-SSP Manager (Bunce et al., 1998) database to confirm the specificity of selected primers, and to detect potentially ambiguous amplifications. This short-form HLA-DP typing system was validated using 50 fully typed samples obtained through the UCLA International DNA Exchange. All samples gave 100% concordance with the consensus type. Our laboratory routinely uses a PCR-SSP based system of 48 primer mixes for HLA-DRB and HLA-DQB typing. The advantage of the short-form HLA-DP typing system described here is that the additional 48 HLA-DP primer mixes required can be included on the second half of a 96-well format tray. This method now enables a full HLA class II typing at the level of allele group resolution in 2 1/2 h.