Sequence determination using HLA-DPB1 allele-specific primers for a DNA sample donated by an African-American individual revealed the presence of a novel haplotype. This new allele was found as a heterozygote together with HLA-DPB1*0402. The new allele was similar to HLA-DPB1*1601, however, it varied in two single nucleotide polymorphisms resulting in alanine residues at positions 55 and 56 of the mature protein rather than aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively. Allele-specific DNA-sequence determination was verified by sequence determination in forward and reverse directions after cloning in pCR2.1. This cloning strategy resulted in DNA products representing 19 clones confirming the novel allele (GenBank accession number AY823995 and is now listed in the IMGT/HLA database as HLA-DPB1*0403) and 17 clones representing HLA-DPB1*0402.