Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics 

Overview

The Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (HLA) Laboratory at TriCore Reference Laboratories provides HLA-related testing for transplantation, disease association, pharmacogenomics, and transfusion medicine. All testing in the HLA laboratory is performed by expert technical staff committed to providing the highest quality histocompatibility testing services. The HLA Laboratory is accredited by the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

Highlights

• The Transplant section of the HLA laboratory offers pre-transplant and post-transplant testing using state-of-the-art technology for solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
  • Pre-transplant testing services include:
    • identification of tissue HLA (histocompatibility) gene alleles and antigens of patients and potential donors to assess the degree of match
    • detection and identification of HLA-specific antibodies in patients awaiting transplant that could cause complications at the time of transplant
    • crossmatch testing to determine if the patient has HLA antibodies which react with the donor cells
  • Post-transplant testing services include: 
    
    • detection and identification of donor-specific HLA antibodies in patients that received a transplant that could cause damage to the organ
• The Disease Association section of the HLA laboratory provides testing and genotype consultation for celiac disease, ankylosing spondylitis and related spondyloarthropathies, Bechcet disease, narcolepsy, and other diseases that are known to be associated with specific HLA alleles
• The Pharmacogenomics section of the HLA laboratory provides testing for HLA alleles associated with drug hypersensitivity reactions. For example, HLA-B*5701 allele detection is a pharmacogenomic test to guide antiretroviral drug selection in HIV-1-infected patients
• The Transfusion Medicine section of the HLA laboratory performs (1) identification of Class I HLA gene alleles and antigens and (2) Class I HLA antibody identification for patients with suspected HLA antibody associated refractoriness to platelet transfusion. Identification of patient HLA antigens and antibody specificities allows selection of compatible apheresis platelets

Contact Information

Barbara Masten, Ph.D., D(ABHI)
Medical Director
505-938-8459
BMasten@salud.unm.edu

Devon Chabot-Richards, M.D.
Associate Medical Director
505-938-8908
DChabot-Richards@salud.unm.edu

Notable Service and Leadership

Members of the Immunology, HLA and Transplantation clinical service team are involved in professional leadership activities in the College of American Pathologists, American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), New Mexico Donor Services Advisory Board, University of New Mexico University Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital Transplant Committees, American Society for Human Genetics, Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP), American Association of Blood Banks, and American Society for Apheresis.