Lab Values
Standardization and Improvement of in-vitro Diagnosis and Monitoring of Treatment of Immunodeficiency Diseases in Developing Countries
Nabila El-Sheikh;
Molecular Immunology Unit, Al-Azhar University
Ladies and Gentlemen
The World Health Organization recognizes more than 200 primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) - some are relatively common, others are quite rare; some affect a single cell within the immune system; others may affect one or more components of the system. An accurate medical history, family history and physical examination are critical in developing the best strategy for laboratory evaluation, and the orderly use of laboratory testing is strongly recommended. This typically begins with screening tests, followed by more sophisticated (and costly) tests that are chosen based on the initial test results.
In developing countries, it is unfortunate that opportunities for the diagnosis of PIDD, specific therapies, and general care are deficient. It is also unfortunate that the range of laboratory testing available to evaluate the immune system in these countries is very limited. This is driven in part by the under-recognition of the clinical syndromes associated with recurrent and or chronic infections.
We believe that it is the responsibility of EAI and all healthcare professionals to take measures that eventually lead to the establishment of a specialized hospital equipped for molecular diagnosis, management and research for patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID). Direct link between the clinical findings and laboratory testing will extend our understanding of PIDD and help provide further answers to the underlying basis of the expanding range of PID.
Laboratory medicine
Laboratory medicine is the keystone on which the structure of scientific medicine is erected. A wide variety of laboratory-based disciplines (e.g., histology, hematology, clinical chemistry, Immunology and microbiology) contribute to nearly all of the
Nabila El-Sheikh;
Molecular Immunology Unit, Al-Azhar University
Ladies and Gentlemen
The World Health Organization recognizes more than 200 primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) - some are relatively common, others are quite rare; some affect a single cell within the immune system; others may affect one or more components of the system. An accurate medical history, family history and physical examination are critical in developing the best strategy for laboratory evaluation, and the orderly use of laboratory testing is strongly recommended. This typically begins with screening tests, followed by more sophisticated (and costly) tests that are chosen based on the initial test results.
In developing countries, it is unfortunate that opportunities for the diagnosis of PIDD, specific therapies, and general care are deficient. It is also unfortunate that the range of laboratory testing available to evaluate the immune system in these countries is very limited. This is driven in part by the under-recognition of the clinical syndromes associated with recurrent and or chronic infections.
We believe that it is the responsibility of EAI and all healthcare professionals to take measures that eventually lead to the establishment of a specialized hospital equipped for molecular diagnosis, management and research for patients with primary immunodeficiencies (PID). Direct link between the clinical findings and laboratory testing will extend our understanding of PIDD and help provide further answers to the underlying basis of the expanding range of PID.
Laboratory medicine
Laboratory medicine is the keystone on which the structure of scientific medicine is erected. A wide variety of laboratory-based disciplines (e.g., histology, hematology, clinical chemistry, Immunology and microbiology) contribute to nearly all of the