The Immunogenetics Laboratory provides clinical HLA typing services to support the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program. We also offer HLA typing for other clinical applications and research purposes. Our laboratory is accredited by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
Our mission is to provide accurate HLA typing results in a timely manner and to provide consultation services in order to help facilitate hematopoietic stem cell donor selection and transplantation. We use HLA typing to identify the best matched suitable donor, either related or unrelated, for transplantation, as well as for other clinical applications and research purposes. The technologies used for HLA typing are constantly evolving. We are always reviewing and assessing which technology platforms offer the best results in cost-effective ways.
Immunogenetics Laboratory Clinical Services
The Immunogenetics Laboratory’s clinical services include:
- HLA Typing in support of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program
- HLA Typing for other clinical and research applications
- Routine Turn-Around-Time (TAT) or STAT Testing
We use HLA typing to find the best HLA-matched donor for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and also for other clinical applications and research purposes.
HLA Typing for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
When a patient needs an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, we start by performing HLA typing on the patient and siblings. If an HLA-matched sibling is not available, we may search for an unrelated donor and/or umbilical cord blood search. In rare cases where it is indicated, we may search extended family members (e.g., uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces) to find a suitably HLA-matched related donor. The laboratory director and supervisor provide consultations to the stem cell transplant team to facilitate an optimal donor search strategy for a given patient.
Precise HLA matching between the recipient and donor is the most important consideration during a donor selection process because the perfect HLA match reduces the risks of graft rejection/failure and graft-versus-host disease.
HLA Typing for Other Clinical Applications
We use HLA in various clinical conditions including transfusion reactions (e.g., febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reaction and transfusion-related acute lung injury), platelet transfusion immune refractoriness, neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, transfusion-related graft-versus-host-disease, and transplantation-related graft-versus-host disease. We use HLA typing in conjunction with anti-HLA antibody testing to investigate these complications, and the results can guide appropriate management of the patient.
Certain HLA types are associated with certain diseases (such as ankylosing spondylitis, celiac disease, narcolepsy, and type I diabetes mellitus) and can increase the risk of adverse reactions when to medications such as abacavir and carbamazepine. HLA typing can help assess a patient’s risk for developing the disease or reaction.
Routine TAT or STAT Typing
We routinely perform elective HLA typing within our established routine TAT. In case of emergency, the clinical team can request STAT HLA typing.
HLA Typing Menu
- HLA-A, B, Cw, DRB1, DQB1 Typing, Low Resolution
- HLA-A, B, Cw, DRB1, DQB1 Typing, High Resolution
Immunogenetics Laboratory Research
Research investigators interested in HLA typing components for their project should contact Laboratory Director S. Yoon Choo, MD, to initiate discussion. We are currently conducting research into HLA typing for certain hematologic malignancies.
The Immunogenetics Laboratory Team
The Immunogenetics Laboratory’s skilled and fully-accredited team includes a director, a supervisor, and four full-time technologists.
S. Yoon Choo, MD, Laboratory Director
Dr. Choo is an American Society for Histocopatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)-approved HLA Laboratory Director in the categories of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and solid organ transplantation. He is also a clinical pathologist by training and a practicing transfusion medicine physician. He joined The Mount Sinai Hospital in 2001.
Oksana Gudzowaty, CHS, Supervisor
ABHI-certified at the highest level of Certified Histocompatibility Specialist, Oksana Gudzowaty works closely with the hematopoietic stem cell transplant team to expedite and facilitate HLA matched donor searches. She has served as Supervisor since 2001.