Molecular HLA typing is an invaluable tool in some complex paternity cases

Abstract HLA is known to be the most polymorphic genetic system in humans. Molecular typing of HLA-A, B and DRB loci by means of Luminex technology provides an extremely high power of discrimination, allowing standardization, and high-throughput analyses. We present two paternity cases in which the analysis of 15 STRs was inconclusive: (a) a paternity trio with two STRs showing potential germ-line mutations and (b) a case with deceased alleged father (AF) with incompatibilities in two STRs. HLA was supplementary typed in all the individuals using the LifeMatch ® fluoroanalyzer and the Tepnel-Lifecodes HLA-A, B and DRB typing kits. Blood samples (e.g. ∼25–50μl) were used for the analyses. HLA results yielded a combined paternity index of 6009.59 for the (a) trio, and allowed to conclude a paternity exclusion in case (b). DNA typing of HLA using LifeMatch ® fluoroanalyzer and the Lifecodes HLA-A, B and DRB typing kits is a not time-consuming method that allows high-throughput analyses of small samples (e.g. bloodstains, bucal swabs), providing a highly informative system that could help to solve some complex paternity cases when STRs or other currently used markers, such as SNPs, are not enough to achieve an informative result.