HLA-B27 testing in Thai patients using the PCR-SSP technique

We develop the HLA‐B27 test kit using the PCR‐SSP technique. Five hundred forty blood samples were tested for HLA‐B27 by microlymphocytotoxicity test (LCT) and PCR‐SSP. It was found that 127 (23.5%) and 134 (24.8%) of these samples were positive for HLA‐B27 by LCT and PCR‐SSP, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR‐SSP were 94.8 and 100%, respectively, when using LCT as the standard method. The PCR‐SSP positive predictive value was 100%, negative predictive value was 98.3%, and a concordance rate of 98.7%. This study shows that the PCR‐SSP is simple, convenient, and a more cost‐effective in‐house test kit.