Analytical Methods at the Boundary between Biochemistry and Immunology

Overview

The article presents assays shared by both disciplines; i.e the specialization 801 (Clinical Biochemistry) and 813 (Laboratory of Allergology and Immunology), and it covers over 60 tests. It is intended as reference information for general practitioners, as well as for laboratory workers at the beginning of their studies. Emphasis is laid on some facts which GPs ordering laboratory determinations should be familiar with; the pre-analytical stage (specimen collection, their transport and storage), the analytical reliability of particular methods, their accessibility, frequency and total costs. Analytical techniques are only mentioned marginally as their understanding is not essential for GPs. Assuming the readers’ fundamental experience of diagnostic applications of the methods discussed; we only comment some obsolete or rare tests. The shared assays cover selected analyses of proteins (incl. some enzymes and tumormarkers), ions, osmolality and quantitative microscopic urinalysis.

Key words:
shared laboratory outputs, preanalytical phase, tolerance interval.