Skip to main content

Clinical Allergy Services

Written by Craig Webster on .

Specific IgE ("RAST")

Measurement of IgE to specified allergens can help to confirm allergies suspected on clinical grounds.  Results must be interpreted in the context of a detailed clinical history, and neither positive or negative results are diagnostic in isolation.  The allergens to be tested must be specified on the request.  This test is not suitable for broad "allergy screening" in the absence of a history suggestive of an allergic reaction.

Skin Prick Testing

In many cases skin prick testing provides a safe and simple alternative to specific IgE measurement, but this does require referral.

Referrals are accepted for the investigation and management of patients who have suffered anaphylaxis and patients with the the following allergic conditions:

Urticaria/Angio-oedema

Clear allergic precipitants can be identified in only a small proportion of cases.  Patients may respond well to regular treatment with antihistamines.

Food Allergy

Skin-prick testing for a range of food allergens is available.  "Screening" is not appropriate, and diet and symptom diaries often help to identify suspected foods for testing.  Patients with life-threatening reactions benefit from detailed advice and individualised management plans.

Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma

Skin prick testing can help to identify significant aeroallergens in these patients, which may held in planning medical management.  Pollen desensitisation may be offered under certain circumstances: patients will only be considered if adequate medical therapy has failed, and certain other suitability criteria are fulfilled. 

Bee/Wasp Venom Allergy

Assessment of patients who have suffered severe reactions to bee or wasp stings is offered.  In some cases desensitisation immunotherapy is indicated to prevent anaphylaxis in individuals at particular risk.

Antibiotic and Anaesthetic Allergies

Suspected antibiotic allergy (especially to penicillin) is common, and can usually be circumvented by the choice of an alternative antibiotic.  In exceptional circumstances allergy testing may be appropriate.  It is often important to exclude or identify allergy to local and general anaesthetic agents, so that future routine or emergency treatment can be given safely.  A detailed history of the suspected anaesthetic reaction and the anaesthetic agents used are vital to successful assessment. Testing of serum tryptase levels immediately after an anaphylactic episode often aids diagnosis (see Laboratory Services).

clinical advice, immunology

  • Created on .
  • Last updated on .

Connective Tissue Disease and Vasculitis

Written by Craig Webster on .

Blood tests to help in the investigations of these conditions are listed below and a guide to their use may be found in Test Profiles.

Connective Tissue Disease

This covers a wide range of relatively rare conditions including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, polymyositis and Sjorgren's syndrome.  Rheumatoid arthritis is common, and may present initially with similar features.  However, the early involvement of other organs (e.g. skin, kidneys, eyes, Raynaud's) may suggest an alternative diagnosis.

Vasculitis

Includes a heterogeneous group of diseases, characterised by inflammation and necrosis of blood vessel walls.  Presenting features may include fever, weight loss, fatigue, multi-system involvement (skin, nasal bleeding/crusting, arthralgia, myalgia, neuropathy), with raised inflammatory markers and abnormal urinalysis.  As with connective tissue disease, rapid diagnosis and treatment is essential to prevent organ damage and death. Serological markers such as ANCA may be helpful, but are not diagnositc and their absence does not exclude vasculitis.  Biopsy evidence of vasculitis is always preferable to confirm the clinical suspicion.

Clinical advice regarding the management of these conditions may be obtained from the department Medical Staff, or from the relevant clinical specialty (e.g. renal, medicine, rheumatology).  Patients may be referred to Immunology or to Rheumatology for assessment.

Advice for Medical Practitioners

Advice regarding the investigation, treatment or referral of all patients with possible connective tissue disease and vasculitis is available from the medical staff.  Advice out of normal working hours can be obtained from the on-call rheumatology, renal or medical teams (depending on the patient's particular problem).

specialist testing, clinical advice, immunology

  • Created on .
  • Last updated on .

Urgent GP request process for biochemistry, immunology, toxicology and haematology

Written on .

 

  1. Telephone the laboratory on 0121 424 2252 or 0121 424 1185 and inform staff that an urgent sample is on its way. Please include the patient’s NHS number, name, date of birth, where is sample is arriving from, which tests are required and indicate on the form that the sample is urgent. If possible also give an indication of when the sample will arrive
  2. Staff in the laboratory will record this information in the “Urgent GP Request form” (document code) CIT.F010 located on a clipboard in the hot cell area of specimen reception
  3. Book a courier to transfer the sample from the GP Practice to Heartlands Hospital, Biochemistry department. Urgent samples can be transported with the routine courier service however please be aware this may result in delay
  4. If the urgent sample is transported alongside routine work, please ensure that it is easily identifiable ie in an envelope marked “Urgent”
  • Created on .
  • Last updated on .

Clinical Referrals (Immunology)

Written by Craig Webster on .

All clinical queries may be directed to a member of the medical staff. We are happy to assess in-patients following telephone arrangement. Out-patient referrals may be made, in writing, to Dr Huissoon. Urgent referrals should be discussed by telephone.

specialist testing, immunology

  • Created on .
  • Last updated on .

More Articles ...