Frequencies of HNA-1, HNA-3, HNA-4, and HNA-5 in the Danish and Zambian populations determined using a novel TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction method

In this study, we report a novel real time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) method using TaqMan probes for human neutrophil antigens (HNA)-1, -3, -4, and -5 genotyping. The method was validated in a Caucasian Danish population, a Zambian population, and in clinical samples using three different methods: an in-house polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method, a commercial available PCR-SSP kit and a novel Q-PCR method. We observed no discrepancy in the genotype frequencies determined by the PCR-SSP methods and the TaqMan assay in the populations studied. In tests of a family of Nigerian origin and in samples carrying the rare SLC44A2*1:2 genotype, different results were produced by the commercial PCR-SSP kit and the real-time TaqMan assay. The TaqMan-based genotyping method was rapid and reproducible, allowing high-throughput HNA-1, -3, -4, and -5 genotyping.