Rapid and reliable genotyping of HLA-B*58:01 in four Chinese populations using a single-tube duplex real-time PCR assay

Aim: HLA-B*58:01 is strongly associated with allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions. This study aimed to develop a new and convenient method for HLA-B*58:01 genotyping and to investigate HLA-B*58: 01 distribution in different Chinese populations. Materials & methods: Combining of sequence-specific primers and TaqMan probe, a single-tube duplex real-time PCR assay for HLA-B*58:01 typing was established. Results: The HLA-B*58:01 genotyping result in Buyei (n = 100) by real-time PCR showed 100% concordance with those by sequence-based typing. The prevalence of HLA-B*58: 01 carrier in Buyei (17%, n = 100) was significantly higher than those in Northern Han (4%, n = 100), Tibetan (5.1%, n = 99) and Uighur (2%, n = 50) populations (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The newly developed reliable assay was appropriate for HLA-B*58:01 detection prior to allopurinol administration in clinical settings.