Background:

The UCI HLA Laboratory will begin performing in-house flow cytometric analysis for allogeneic crossmatch testing.

Methodology & Reporting:

Pre-transplant evaluation of patient serum for alloantibodies is most directly performed by cellular crossmatch testing, measuring patient antibodies capable of binding donor leukocytes. Flow cytometry has become the preferred method for cellular crossmatch testing due to increased analytic sensitivity and specificity.

Currently, allogeneic crossmatch testing is referred to the VRL Eurofins Laboratory. The UCI HLA Laboratory has developed and validated a new flow cytometry platform for detection of alloantibodies capable of mediating allograft rejection. All testing will be performed using pronase-treated donor leukocytes to reduce non-specific reactivity.

Ordering for the tests will not change. Send out testing for living donor kidney transplantation will be eliminated. Testing for deceased donor transplantation will still be performed by the One Legacy Organ Procurement Organization contracted laboratories. The report format for allogeneic crossmatch testing will change to the UCI HLA Laboratory reporting format. We expect these changes to improve turnaround time, cost, and quality for transplant patients.

Effective Date: July 2, 2018

Specimen Requirement & Testing Information:

Test Methodology: Flow Cytometry
Specimen: 30 mL blood in yellow-top tubes (ACD-A) (donor) and 10.0 mL blood in plain GLASS red-top tubes (recipient)

Test Code: HPFXM

Stability:
Ambient: 48 hours (yellow-top tubes); 72 hours (red-top tubes)
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable

Turnaround Time (TAT):
STAT: Not available
Routine: 1- 5 business days
Set-Up Days: Monday - Friday

Rejection Criteria:
Specimens exceeding stability, unlabeled/mislabeled/mismatched, submitted in leaking containers, hemolyzed

A summary of all tests offered by our laboratory services can be found here:
http://www.pathology.uci.edu/services/index.asp

Sincerely,

Gerald P. Morris, MD, PhD
Director, HLA Laboratory

Edwin S. Monuki, MD, PhD
Chair, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine