Medical immunology: Two-way bridge connecting bench and bedside

G.T. Rijkers*, Jan G.M.C. Damoiseaux, H. Hooijkaas

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Medical immunology in The Netherlands is a laboratory specialism dealing with immunological analyses as well as pre- and post-analytical consultation to clinicians (clinical immunologists and other specialists) involved in patients with immune mediated diseases. The scope of medical immunology includes immunodeficiencies, autoimmune diseases, allergy, transfusion and transplantation immunology, and lymphoproliferative disorders plus the monitoring of these patients. The training, professional criteria, quality control of procedures and laboratories is well organized. As examples of the bridge function of medical immunology between laboratory (bench) and patient (bedside) the contribution of medical immunologists to diagnosis and treatment of primary immunodeficiency diseases (in particular: humoral immunodeficiencies) as well as autoantibodies (anti-citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid arthritis) are given.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)127-133
JournalImmunology Letters
Volume162
Issue number2 Pt B
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014

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