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Medical information Clinical review pending

Transplant Testing

HLA DQB1 Typing Test

The HLA DQB1 Typing Test identifies specific genetic markers crucial for organ transplant compatibility, helping to minimize rejection risk.

General information only: This page is not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. A qualified clinician should decide whether testing is appropriate and interpret results in context.

Review status: No completed medical review is recorded for this page.

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Counselor guidance included Confidential handling Kenya-wide coordination

At a glance

Plan your test

Sample
4 mL (3 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube OR 6 mL (3 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Yellow Top (ACD) tube.
Results
Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
Preparation
A doctor's prescription on official letterhead is required. Include one stamped photograph each of the recipient and donor. A signed consent form for HLA Typing for Solid Organ Transplant (Form 33) is necessary.
Test priceKSh 10,062

Payment: M-Pesa and card options can be confirmed during booking.

Insurance & government schemes

Is this test covered for you?

We help you verify whether the HLA DQB1 Typing Test test can be claimed against your insurer, employer scheme or a Kenyan government health scheme — before you book. Coverage depends on your plan, clinical indication and your provider's rules; final approval always rests with them.

Talk to a claims advisor

Providers & schemes we can help you check

Government & public schemes

SHIF — Social Health Insurance Fund Linda Mama EduAfya NHIF (legacy cards)

Eligibility and benefits follow the current rules of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and applicable government programmes.

Private insurers & employer schemes

Jubilee Health AAR APA Britam CIC Madison Resolution Pioneer Minet Old Mutual GA Life Heritage + other licensed insurers

Names shown for identification only — listing does not imply partnership or guarantee of coverage.

Have these ready when we check

  • Insurer or scheme name & policy / member number
  • A clinician's request / prescription for the test
  • Pre-authorisation letter, if your plan requires one

Free coverage check

Ask us to verify your cover

Send your details and our claims team confirms what documents you need and whether pre-authorisation applies — usually the same working day.

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Used only to process your coverage check — see our Privacy Policy. Verification support is free and does not guarantee your provider will pay.

01

Start with fit

Is this the right test for you?

The best test starts with a clear clinical question. These are common reasons a clinician or family may consider this test.

  • ✓Individuals scheduled for solid organ transplantation (e.g., kidney, liver, heart).
  • ✓Patients requiring a compatible donor for transplantation.
  • ✓Assessment of potential transplant rejection risk.
  • ✓Guiding donor selection for optimal compatibility.
02

In plain language

What this test helps you understand

This test is used to assess the compatibility between organ donors and recipients by identifying specific HLA DQB1 alleles. A closer match reduces the risk of transplant rejection and improves long-term graft survival.
The HLA DQB1 Typing Test is a specialized genetic analysis used primarily in transplantation medicine. It identifies specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) markers, which are proteins found on the surface of cells that the immune system uses to distinguish self from non-self. This test is vital for determining the compatibility between a potential organ donor and a recipient. Matching HLA markers significantly reduces the risk of the recipient's immune system attacking the transplanted organ, leading to rejection. This test is particularly important for kidney, liver, heart, and other solid organ transplants. Understanding HLA DQB1 compatibility helps medical teams select the best possible donor match, improving the chances of a successful transplant and long-term patient health. This test is recommended for individuals preparing for an organ transplant.
03

Medical review status

Clinical review pending

A completed medical review is not recorded for this page. No clinician has endorsed the information shown here. Please discuss testing decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.

Meet the DNA Labs Kenya medical team →
04

A simple process

What happens next?

You do not have to navigate the test alone. We help you move from question to next step.

1

Speak with us

We check the test and answer your questions before collection.

2

Give your sample

Choose home collection or a coordinated hub visit in Kenya. We explain whether this test uses a cheek swab or blood draw.

3

Understand your report

A counselor helps you understand the result and the next steps.

05

Choose your collection

Home collection or a lab visit

We will explain the sample, preparation, and next steps before anything is collected.

Home collection

Choose a coordinated visit at home or another convenient location. Our team confirms the appointment and sample requirements in advance.

Lab or hub visit

Prefer to visit a coordinated location? We can guide you to the right hub and explain what to expect when you arrive.

Ask about locations →
PreparationA doctor's prescription on official letterhead is required. Include one stamped photograph each of the recipient and donor. A signed consent form for HLA Typing for Solid Organ Transplant (Form 33) is necessary.
Sample4 mL (3 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Lavender Top (EDTA) tube OR 6 mL (3 mL min.) whole blood in 1 Yellow Top (ACD) tube.
MethodologyGenetic analysis techniques are used to identify the specific alleles present in the HLA DQB1 gene.
PrivacyYour sample and report are handled confidentially. Ask the team how your information is stored and shared.
This test specifically analyzes the HLA DQB1 gene. Other HLA genes (e.g., HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-DR) are also important for transplant compatibility and may need to be tested separately. Results reflect the genetic makeup at the time of testing. Confirm with the laboratory before booking.
06

Read your report

What common result terms mean

PositiveA finding was identified. Your clinician or counselor will explain what it means for your care.
NegativeThe specific finding tested for was not identified. It does not rule out every possible cause.
VUSA variant was found, but current evidence is not enough to classify it. Your counselor can explain follow-up.
07

Questions people ask

Frequently asked questions

HLA DQB1 is a gene that provides instructions for making a protein involved in the immune system's ability to distinguish between the body's own proteins and foreign proteins.
Matching HLA DQB1 markers between donor and recipient helps reduce the risk of the recipient's immune system rejecting the transplanted organ.
A blood sample is required for this test. Specific tube types (Lavender Top/EDTA or Yellow Top/ACD) and volumes are needed.
Turnaround time varies. Please contact the laboratory for specific details.
Yes, a doctor's prescription on official letterhead is mandatory for this test.
You will need to provide stamped photographs of the recipient and donor, and a signed consent form (Form 33).
08

Collaboration

Open for partnership with hospitals, clinics, doctors & researchers

Whether you are referring patients, building a research programme or supporting students, we work as an extension of your team — with responsive communication and clear scientific standards.

Hospitals & clinics

Referral pathways, coordinated sample logistics and shared reporting that fits your clinical workflow.

Doctors & specialists

LOINC-coded reports, ACMG-based variant classification and a direct scientific line for complex cases.

Research institutions

Sanger sequencing, NGS panels and custom assays — with project design support, batch pricing and agreed turnaround commitments.

Students & academic projects

Discounted laboratory services for college, master's and PhD research projects — including proposal guidance and cost-effective batch testing.

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09

Trust & transparency

Sources, standards & how this page is maintained

Standards & references

  • ACMG/AMP technical standards for sequence variant interpretation
  • ClinGen curation and gene–disease validity frameworks where applicable
  • LOINC-coded reporting for interoperable results
  • ISO 9001:2015 quality management; ISO 15189 accreditation in progress

Page provenance

  • Last updated: September 27, 2026
  • Medical review: not yet completed
  • Written for patients & clinicians in Kenya; reviewed periodically against current guidance

Medical disclaimer: this page is general information, not a diagnosis or personal medical advice. Testing decisions and result interpretation should be made with a qualified healthcare professional.

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