OBJECTIVETo identify a novel HLA DRB1 allele in a Chinese leukemia family.

METHODSA new HLA-DRB1 allele was initially detected by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer and unusual reaction pattern by Luminex RSSO, then DNA sequencing was performed to identify the sequence of the novel allele.

RESULTSThe DNA sequencing revealed the presence of the new allele which differs from the closest matching HLA-DRB1*120201 by a single nucleotide substitution at position (341 C > T in exon 2), resulting in an amino acid change from Ala to Val at coden 85.

CONCLUSIONA novel allele was confirmed by DNA sequencing and has been designated HLA-DRB1*1219 by the WHO Nomenclature Committee.