HLA-A typing by reference strand-mediated conformation analysis (RSCA) using a capillary-based semi-automated genetic analyser

HLA typing of class I loci by reference strand-mediated conformation analys is (RSCA) using a slab gel genetic analyser has been described. This study adapted the method for use in the capillary based ABI PRISM 310. Control DN A samples were used to create a database of mobility values for 37 HLA-A al leles. The technique was validated by comparing RSCA and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe (SSOP)/sequence-specific primer amplification (SSP) H LA-A locus typing results from 214 cord blood samples. Of the samples teste d, 6.5% required confirmatory typing by SSP, compared with a repeat rate of 10-40% for SSOP. In 200 samples where no SSP was necessary, there was 100% concordance between RSCA and previous results. The ABI PRISM 310 RSCA meth od defines HLA-A types at medium resolution and is quick and easy to implem ent.