Rapid verification of the identity of questionable specimens using immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies directed against HLA class I antigens

Aims: A case report is presented in which an unexpected pathological diagnosis raised the possibility that biopsies of two patients were mixed-up, Since these biopsies were obtained from kidney transplant patients, the HLA-typings of both patients were known. Methods and results: We developed an immunohistochemical method using HLA-class I specific monoclonal antibodies to recognize the donor and recipient antigens in these biopsies, Using this method we could confirm the identity of the patients of whom the biopsies had been taken. Conclusions: This method, which uses the highly polymorphic HLA-system, is potentially useful for rapid and easy verification of the identity of specimens if a mix-up is suspected.