Immunology in medical practice. XXI. Laboratory tests for immunologic diseases
Out, T.A.; Smeenk, R.J.; Hooijkaas, H.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 143(20): 1027-1033
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 10368728 Document Number: 506376
Clinical immunology has gained its firm place in health care. There are now established laboratory tests giving insight into the functioning of the immune system in the normal and diseased individual. The laboratory diagnostic tests are related to immune deficiencies, infectious diseases, allergic diseases, autoimmune diseases (both generalized and organ-specific ones), the HLA system and malignancies of immune cells. In this review the application of a number of laboratory tests in the diagnosis of immunological diseases is discussed. In the Netherlands a laboratory specialist, the 'medical immunologist' deals with the development, implementation and performance of the immunological diagnostic tests in health care.