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Clinical Immunology

Laboratory Service

The Clinical Immunology laboratory is fully integrated with the Clinical Service and provides diagnostic and service support under the direction of the Head of Department Prof Frank Christiansen and Principal Scientist Neill Hodgen in the following key areas:

1) Immunodeficiency disease
Cellular immunology (flow cytometry and interferon-gamma release assays) and immunochemistry (immunoglobulins, complement components etc) assays for the assessment and management of primary and acquired immunodeficiency diseases. Other laboratory tests relevant to HIV disease include HIV RNA assays and detection of drug resistance mutations in HIV proviral DNA.

2) Autoimmunity
Autoimmunity testing is provided as a rationalised service centred at the QEII Medical Centre site with abridged services at Fremantle Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital.

3) Immunogenetics
The department provides the state Reference Laboratory for all HLA and related genotyping relevant to transplantation, infectious disease and auto-immune disease. Transplant Immunology services include cross-matching for kidney, heart, lung and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation and HLA antibody screening, including that for the refractory platelet transfusion program.

4) Other genetic tests
The department also provides genetic testing for HFE, FMF and TPMT mutations

On-Call Service

A 24-hour clinical and laboratory on-call service is provided for the management of acute immunology conditions. These include opportunistic infections in immunodeficient patients, complications of autoimmune disease and allergic diseases, advice on the use of prophylactic antiretroviral therapy and other therapies following exposure to blood borne virus infections, HLA typing and cross matching for cadaver donor transplantation and urgent autoantibody testing. The on-call services are integrated with staff from other teaching hospitals.