17.3 HNA typing methods - Granulocyte immunology

HNA types should be determined using antibody-based and/or DNA/PCR-based techniques that have been validated in the laboratory.

Polyclonal human anti-HNA antisera used in serological techniques should be well characterised. There is no requirement to use typing antisera that are ABO-compatible with the granulocytes since the available evidence suggests that granulocytes either do not express blood group A or B antigens or do so very weakly. However, human HNA antisera may contain HLA class I antibodies that may confound results.

DNA-based HNA typing techniques should be capable of distinguishing the different allelic forms described in chapter 17.2 or, where ambiguities are recognised in distinguishing different alleles, these should be clearly identified in any reports.