High-Throughput and Automated Detection of HLA-B*27 Using the LabTurbo(TM) AIO System

The adoption of an automated system can decrease the hands-on time requirements in a clinical laboratory setting. For the detection of HLA-B*27, implementing a high-throughput and fully automated system has several advantages over using manual methods. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate automation efficiency for the detection of HLA-B*27. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 50 participants, and DNA was isolated from these samples. A Pharmigene PG27 detection kit was used for the qualitative detection of HLA-B*27. The performances of the semi-automated and fully automated LabTurbo(TM) AIO systems in the detection of HLA-B*27 were compared. The mean absorbance (optical density) values for the Maelstrom(TM) 8 and LabTurbo(TM) AIO systems were found to be 1.88 and 1.9, respectively. The housekeeping gene was amplified and quantified using a real-time PCR assay across all DNA extracts to check the quality of the extracted human DNA. The results were expressed as the cycle threshold (Ct) values for all DNA extracts from both platforms. The mean Ct values for the Roche Cobas z480 and LabTurbo(TM) AIO systems were found to be 22.7 and 20.4, respectively. This study demonstrated that the semi-automated method and the LabTurbo(TM) AIO system yield consistent results for the detection of HLA-B*27. However, compared to the semi-automated method, the LabTurbo(TM) AIO system provides standardized procedures, avoids manual handling, and improves turnaround time.