HLA Typing From Your Country: Sending Samples to India

Who in the family should be tested?

Test the patient, every full brother and sister, and both parents. HLA typing compares the tissue markers on white blood cells, and a donor transplant works best when the donor's markers match the patient's. Dr. Arun Singh Danewa, who conducted a Jivo Masterclass on sickle cell disease and bone marrow transplant for international doctors on 2 September 2026, describes the first requirement before any transplant as a high-resolution HLA test of the patient and the possible donors, reading ten markers across the HLA-A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 genes. His article on HLA matching and donor selection explains how the results are read, and his guide to the sickle cell transplant process covers the steps that follow.

The donor order follows from the results. A brother or sister who matches on all ten markers is the best donor, for a matched sibling transplant. Dr. Danewa puts the chance of a full match at about one in four for each sibling, so a family with several children can still have none, while a sibling who carries the sickle cell trait can donate. Dr. Vikas Dua, who conducted a Jivo Masterclass on BMT in sickle cell anaemia and other haematological disorders for international doctors on 28 July 2024, gives the same reason for typing the patient and the siblings together: the test is what shows whether a full match exists in the family. His guide to bone marrow transplant for sickle cell anaemia sets out what follows.

When no sibling matches, the next option is a matched volunteer from an international registry, for an unrelated donor transplant. Parents are always at least a half match, because a child inherits half of the HLA genes from each, which makes them donors for a half-match transplant. A sibling who is not a full match can also be a half match. Dr. Dharma Choudhary, who conducted a Jivo Masterclass on bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease for international doctors on 7 December 2025, answered the question of sending samples from abroad: his laboratory sets the requirements for temperature, time in transit and sample volume, for blood or a cheek swab, before a sample is shipped. His complete guide to bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease sets out the full pathway.

How are the samples collected at home?

Collection is done locally, in the patient's home country. For each person:

• Draw blood into EDTA vials of at least 4 ml, and collect at least two vials.
• Take a cheek swab by rubbing a swab against the inside of the cheek, and keep it in the container supplied with the swab kit or in an EDTA vial.
• Write the person's name clearly on every vial and every swab container, so each sample can be matched to its donor.

How should the samples be packed?

Pack each person's samples separately and keep them cool:

1. Place the person's EDTA vials and cheek swab together in a plastic zipper pouch.
2. Write that person's name clearly on the pouch.
3. Put the pouches in a thermocol box, with ice packs on all sides to hold the right temperature.
4. Place the thermocol box inside a cardboard box and seal the outer box with tape before it is sent.

Which documents go with the samples?

Send one sheet with the samples that gives, for every person tested:

• the donor's name;
• the donor's date of birth, with a copy of the passport or birth certificate as proof;
• the donor's relationship to the patient, such as brother, sister, mother or father.

The hospital needs these details to register each donor before the test. Families who write the details in French send Jivo a copy, and Jivo translates them into English for the hospital team.

How do the samples reach India?

There are two routes. In the first, once the family tells Jivo that the samples are collected and ready, Jivo connects the family with a Jivo patient who is travelling to India for treatment. That patient carries the samples, and the Jivo team makes sure they reach the hospital where the test is done.

In the second, the samples travel by courier, packed the same way, and Jivo arranges a customs clarification letter from the hospital to go with the package.

What happens when the samples arrive?

Each donor is registered with the hospital before the test, using the documents sent with the samples. The HLA typing is then carried out in the hospital's own pathology laboratory once the samples have been received. The results go to the family and to the transplant team. The next step is the specialist's review of the patient's reports.

What does HLA typing cost?

The hospital charges a fixed fee per person for each test, and the fee covers both the donor's registration and the HLA typing itself. The hospital sends Jivo the details for paying online, and Jivo passes them to the family. The amount is given on WhatsApp and confirmed in writing before any sample is sent.