Clinical Immunology

CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY

General enquiry: (852) 28554148
Fax: 28181104
e-mail: bmjones@ha.org.hk

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Please send your questions to bmjones@ha.org.hk , eytchan@ha.org.hk , or kwoksy@ha.org.hk

Q. Does the lab perform Bence Jones Protein?
A. Bence Jones Proteins are light chains of immunoglobulin found in urine. Testing for these urine free light chains is done for diagnosis and monitoring of multiple myeloma and other similar disease. In the past, detection of Bence Jones Protein was by heating urine to 60°C. At this temperature the Bence Jones protein will clump together. Flocculation can be observed in heated urine but disappears after cooling. This heating method has been replaced in most laboratories by more specific tests. In Clinical Immunology, urine is screened by urine protein electrophoresis. If a monoclonal band is observed, urine immunofixation is done to type the class of free light chain.

Q. What clinical indications are valid for requesting total IgE?
A. Atopic disease (especially young age), determination of atopic tendency of infants born to atopic parents, IgE myeloma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.. It is NOT useful in assessing immune function EXCEPT in hyper-IgE syndrome.

Q. My test request has been rejected for “insufficient clinical information”. What should I do to get the test done?
A. The specimen will have been stored frozen so there is no need to bleed the patient again. Simply call one of the senior immunologists to explain fully the need for the test. Of course the problem would have been avoided if full clinical information had been provided in the first place!

Q. How frequently should I screen AFP in HBV-positive patients?
A. AFP is a relatively expensive test and valuable resources could be saved by, for example, screening annually instead of 6-monthly if liver function stays normal.

Q. Can normal levels of C1q be found in angioneurotic oedema?
A. The level of C1q measured by quantitative tests may sometimes be normal in angio-oedema, in which case it is important to measure the functional activity of C1q.

Q. Does the lab perform anti-phospholipid antibodies?
A. Our lab performs anti-cardiolipin assay, which is used as an aid in assessing the risk of thrombotic disorders, recurrent fetal loss and in individuals with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

Q. How should I store the blood sample if it could not be sent to your lab on the same day?
A. For most of our serology tests, the clotted blood sample could be stored at 4°C for 48 hours; for longer storage period, serum has to be separated and stored at -20°C before sending to our lab. All cell function tests (except serum for anti-neutrophil antibodies) require fresh anti-coagulated blood sample; stored sample will be rejected.

Last Modified: 25-May-2004