An HLA laboratory's DNA typing report lists 0101,1101. What is wrong with this report?

The report notation 0101,1101 indicates that it lists two different alleles, but it lacks clear definition regarding which HLA locus these alleles correspond to. HLA typing is done for specific loci, such as HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DR, among others, and accurate reporting typically requires identifying the specific locus along with the alleles. When presenting results, it is important to provide clarity by including the locus name alongside the allele numbers for proper interpretation. The lack of locus identification makes it difficult to understand which HLA gene the reported alleles are associated with, thus making the report ambiguous and potentially confusing.

This focus on the necessity of clearly defining the HLA locus is crucial for ensuring that clinicians can effectively interpret the results in the context of transplant compatibility, disease association studies, or other relevant clinical decisions.