Immunogenetics/HLA Laboratory

Transporting Samples

  • All specimens need to have patient's first and last name, the date of draw and a unique identifier on the tube.
  • Within 24 hours of draw, at ambient temperature, send specimens to the Immunogenetics/HLA lab at the Puget Sound Blood Center along with an accompanying Request for Testing Form.
  • All specimens must be sent to Puget Sound Blood Center in a sealed, leak-proof container marked with a biohazard sticker to comply with OSHA safety standards.
  • Do not refrigerate ACD specimens or put on ice.

Specimen Requirement Table

Purpose Specimen From Anticoagulated Blood ACD (yellow top, solution A or B) Clotted Blood (red top)
Evaluation for Transplantation from Deceased Donor Initial Evaluation Patient Three 10cc tubes Two 10cc tubes
Final Crossmatch Patient Three 10cc tubes One 10cc tube
Evaluation for Transplantation from Living Donor Initial Evaluation Patient Three 10cc tubes Two 10cc tubes
Donor Three 10cc tubes One 10cc tube
Final Crossmatch Patient Three 10cc tubes One 10cc tube
Donor Three 10cc tubes One 10cc tube
Post Transplant Antibody Testing   Patient If requested by Immunogenetics/HLA lab One 10cc tube
Testing for Individual HLA Alleles   Patient One 10cc tube N/A
HLA Testing for Platelet Support HLA Typing Patient One 10cc tube N/A
HLA Antibody Patient One 10cc tube One 10cc tube

Other Specimens
The following types of specimens are not preferable but may be acceptable for certain HLA tests. Contact the lab at 206-292-1860 to verify whether or not one of these specimens can be used for a test you are requesting.

  • NaHep (Sodium Heparin)
  • LiHep (Lithium Heparin)
  • EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid)
  • SST (Serum Separator Tube)
  • SPS (Sodium Polyanethol Sulfonate)