Transplantation and Immunogenetics services

The Transplantation and Immunogenetics Services (TIS) comprises four laboratories delivering agile and efficient testing and scientific expertise for stem cell and organ transplantation and immunogenetics purposes, including platelet and neutrophil testing.

The four TIS laboratories are based in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney:

Services include:

HLA Testing

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping

HLA genotyping is performed for various applications including:

• stem cell transplantation
• solid organ transplantation
• disease association studies
• pharmacogenomics, to aid in the prevention of adverse reactions
• registration of new donors for the Stem Cell Donors Australia registry (formerly ABMDR), and AUSCord cord blood banks
• clinical trials and projects, and
• research groups.

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibody testing

HLA antibody screening and identification testing technology is used to support the requirements of the transplantation and transfusion services provided.

Deceased donor testing

A 24 hour on-call service for deceased organ donor matching (SATIS, VTIS, NTIS)

Technologies

Technologies for various testing including HLA/HPA genotyping, HLA/HPA antibody detection and identification and lymphocyte crossmatching. Click here for further information.

HLA/HPA Compatibility transfusion support

HLA/HPA-compatible platelet searching and matching

HLA and human platelet antigen (HPA) searching and compatible product identification is performed by NTIS and VTIS for patients nationally. HLA-compatible platelets can be used in patients with platelet refractoriness, patients with congenital platelet function disorders such as Bernard-Soulier syndrome and Glanzmann thrombasthenia, or patients who are to undergo HLA mismatched stem cell transplantation. HPA-compatible platelets can be provided to patients where an HPA allo antibody has developed, such as foetal neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and post transfusion purpura (PTP).

HLA-compatible red cell searching and matching

VTIS performs searching and red cell compatible donor/product identification for renal patients to avoid allo-immunisation from red cell transfusions prior to and post renal transplant. Adult and paediatric patients need to meet specific eligibility requirements – refer to the Lifeblood website.

Platelet and neutrophil investigations

Platelet immunobiology testing

The QTIS and VTIS Platelet Laboratories are national platelet reference laboratory services providing specialised testing for platelet immunobiology and diagnostic investigations for specialised transfusion reactions.

Neutrophil immunobiology testing

The QTIS Neutrophil Laboratory is a national neutrophil reference laboratory service providing specialised testing for neutrophil immunobiology and related transfusion reactions. All samples requiring neutrophil testing should be sent directly to the QTIS reference laboratory for testing.

Request forms and sample collection

Request forms for HLA testing can be found here. Refer to sample collection guidelines for HLA testing.

Request forms and sample collection requirements for:

HLA/HPA compatibility transfusion support can be found here.

Platelet investigation can be found here.

Neutrophil investigation can be found here.

Please forward the request form and applicable samples to the relevant testing laboratory.

Please ensure you check specific state laboratory requirements including sample collection, and whether the test requires booking/notification with the laboratory in advance. 

Licenses and accreditation
 

Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) - NSW, VIC, QLD

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) - NSW, VIC, SA, QLD

American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) - NSW, VIC, SA

ASHI Directors:

• NSW / SA – Prof. Rob Carroll (Immunogenetics - National Clinical Lead)
• VIC – Prof. James McCluskey (Consultant Clinical Immunologist) and Dr. Jeremy McComish (Consultant Immunologist, Immunopathologist)