Genotyping of human neutrophil antigen-5a (Ond)

Antibodies to human neutrophil alloantigens (HNA) can cause immune‐mediated neutropenias and transfusion complications. The diagnosis of antibodies to the HNA‐5a (Ond) isoform of the αLβ2 integrin is hampered by the lack of reliable methods for HNA‐5a antigen typing. We have devised a polymerase chain reaction sequence‐specific primer method (PCR‐SSP) and used it to determine the HNA‐5a gene frequencies in 320 individuals from different ethnicities. 15·3% were found to be HNA‐5a negative, with no significant deviation between the populations. Results of HNA‐5a genotyping were in accordance with phenotyping. Availability of HNA‐5a PCR‐SSP will facilitate the diagnosis of Ond antibody‐mediated clinical conditions.