The Immunology Department performs routine and complex immune system diagnostic tests, assessing and interpreting them in a clinical context.

Most healthcare activities involve diagnostic testing, assessment, and opinion, where applicable. Within this practice, we provide direct and continuous advice to clinical practitioners by email, telephone, and in person whenever necessary. We also design and improve diagnostic tests and protocols that allow diagnostic methods to be continually updated and bring clinical services into line with clinical requirements.

The immunology department has automated equipment and specialized staff trained to perform ELISA tests to interpret ANA, ANCA, and other sensitive assays.

Immunoproteins Section

The main components studied are immunoglobins, complement, and regulatory proteins common to the complement and coagulation cascades. To evaluate immune response in patients with suspected immunodeficiency, the levels of immunoglobulins are measured and characterised: classes, subclasses, monoclonal components, cryoglobulins, and free chains, as well as the production of IgG antibodies against polysaccharide and peptide antigen.

Hypersensitivity and Allergies Section

The Allergy Section performs tests to identify the allergies that cause hypersensitive reactions due to IgE or IgG. The Allergy Division establishes total IgE and specific IgE versus allergens originating from food and inhaled allergens of different origins, both animal and vegetable (mites, pollen, grasses, epithelial tissues of animal origin, etc.). There is evidence to measure specific IgE against more than 250 allergens.

Immunoglobulin Profile

This test checks the number of specific antibodies called immunoglobulins in your body. Antibodies are proteins your immune cells make to fight off bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders. The immunoglobulin test can show whether there’s a problem with your immune system. Some conditions cause your body to make too many or too few immunoglobulins. Having too few immunoglobulins in your blood increases your chances of getting infections. Having too many could mean you have allergies or an overactive immune system

Autoimmune Section

The Autoimmune Section supports the diagnosis and monitoring of autoimmune diseases, both those specific to particular organs (such as myasthenia gravis, type I diabetes, autoimmune hepatitis, etc.) and systemic diseases (such as LES, SS, and scleroderma).

Rapid Response Testing

The laboratory has a catalog of rapid response tests (response time <6 hours). IL-6 concentration in serum for patients with sepsis or cytokine release syndrome after treatment with immunotherapy, IL-6 in amniotic fluid in pregnant women suspected of subclinical chorioamnionitis, and procalcitonin for diagnosis of bacterial sepsis.