New genetic test available

NHS England have announced funding for a new genetic test for APOL1 gene variations.

It’s available for anyone of African, Brazilian or Caribbean ancestry who is considering donating a kidney.

The test is already part of the British Transplantation Society guidelines and will be available for Chronic Kidney Disease risk stratification.

Changes to the APOL1 gene can increase your risk of developing kidney failure and is seen almost exclusively within the African and Caribbean community. The test is now available from us nationally.  It will be included in the next update to the National Genomic Test Directory on April 1st but can be ordered now directly from our Lab.

To order a test in the meantime, contact the South East Genomics Laboratory Hub on gst-tr.southeastglh@nhs.net