Click Here for Advice for Requestors and Information Regarding Service Delivery
The Immunology Laboratory sits within the Scarborough, Hull and York Pathology (SHYPS) network, a clinically led pathology service that incorporates a range of laboratory disciplines across Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI), Castle Hill Hospital, York Hospital and Scarborough Hospital.
The department is accredited by UKAS under ISO15189:2012 standards and participates in all relevant National Quality Assurance Schemes.
The laboratory offers advice and tests for the investigation and monitoring of immunodeficiency, autoimmune disease and allergy. Note, allergy testing is currently performed within the Biochemistry Department at York.
Laboratory Opening Times
9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.
Contacts for the Immunology Service
For result and specimen enquiries Click Here
Key Contacts:
|
Name |
Position |
|
Tel |
|
Immunology Laboratory |
|
hyp-tr.immsend@nhs.net |
01482 607768 |
|
H Dassanayake |
Chief Biomedical Scientist |
hiruni.dassanayake@nhs.net |
01482 607775 |
|
Dr M Hajjawi |
Blood Sciences Laboratory Manager |
mark.hajjawi@nhs.net |
01482 607802 |
|
Dr A McHugh |
Consultant Clinical Scientist |
anna.mchugh@nhs.net |
01482 607710 |
|
K Emsell-Needham |
Senior Clinical Scientist |
kristina.emsell1@nhs.net |
01482 607813 |
|
Dr P Gordins and Dr S Khan |
Consultant Immunologist |
pavels.gordins@nhs.net sujoy.khan@nhs.net |
01482 461397//461444 |
Non-urgent clinical advice can also be obtained via Advice and Guidance for allergy and immunology advice via eSR. Also see referral documentation for Immunology and allergy at Referral Documentation - Immunology and Allergy | Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (hey.nhs.uk)
Urgent Requests
The York/Scarborough Blood Sciences laboratory must be informed via phone of any urgent requests for immunology testing.
The requesting clinician, location and contact details (full phone number and nhs.net email address) MUST be provided on the request form to ensure timely reporting of the results.
The Immunology laboratory at Hull does not provide an out of hours service – the laboratory is open 08.30 – 17.00 hrs Monday – Friday therefore samples received in York or Scarborough after 2pm will be tested on the next working day.
Test information
This is a brief overview of the most commonly requested tests and is not an exhaustive list of tests available. Please discuss other requirements with the laboratory. For detailed specimen requirements and testing frequency please Click York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Test Directory (yorkhospitals.nhs.uk)or contact the laboratory.
Overview of test repertoire
Autoantibodies
|
Autoantibodies Associated with Connective Tissue Disorders |
|
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Liver Associated Antibodies – performed by IIF & immunoblot |
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Autoantibodies Associated with Gastrointestinal Disease |
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Autoantibodies Associated with Vasculitis and Renal Disease |
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Other Autoantibodies Performed In-House |
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Allergic Disease
|
Total and Specific IgE levels |
|
· Total IgE is required for all patients to aid in the interpretation of the specific IgE results. · Specific IgE requests should be selected based on the clinical presentation as outlined below. · Note the NICE guidance on investigation of allergy in young people http://guidance.nice.org.uk/CG116 which includes guidance for parents and carers
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Tryptase |
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· Tryptase is used in the investigation of systemic allergic reactions. Samples are taken at 1 hour, 3 hours and 24 hours following the reaction. The first 2 samples are to demonstrate raised levels the last to establish the patient’s normal baseline level. · Tryptase is also used in the investigation of systemic mastocytosis. |
Immunodeficiency (*Note these tests are currently referred to Leeds via the Haematology Laboratory)
|
Specific antibodies |
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IgG antibodies to Haemophilus, Pneumococcus and tetanus toxoid. Used to assess vaccine responses in patients with suspected immunodeficiency. Pre and post (>6 weeks) vaccination levels are required. |
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Lymphocyte subsets * |
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A number of subsets may be quantified. CD4 counts for HIV monitoring in accordance with national and local guidelines. T and B lymphocyte subsets in the investigation of immunodeficiency. These tests are referred to Leeds. |
|
Neutrophil function tests |
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By prior arrangement only, for the investigation of possible chronic granulomatous disease or carrier status. |
Test Turnaround Times
Immunology tests are performed Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.00pm, excluding public holidays.
Turnaround time is the time between sample receipt and issue of an electronic or paper report. This includes weekends, e.g. a test taken on Friday and reported on Monday would have a 3 day turnaround time recorded. This is why some ‘Daily’ tests have a longer turnaround target than might be expected.
Note that some tests are only performed in response to a positive result in another test, e.g. Crithidia is added to a positive dsDNA result from the Antinuclear Ab screen. Turnaround time is measured from the date/time of receipt of the original request. This also contributes to why some ‘Daily’ tests have a longer turnaround target than might be expected.
Autoantibodies
|
Test Name |
Target Turnaround Time (for 90% of results) |
Frequency of testing |
|
Antinuclear Ab (includes dsDNA ENA) |
7 |
Daily |
|
ANCA Screen (MPO + PR3) |
6 |
Daily |
|
ANCA Indirect Immunofluorescence |
6 |
Daily |
|
Beta 2 Glycoprotein |
7 |
Daily |
|
Cardiolipin Autoantibodies |
7 |
Daily |
|
Anti CCP antibody |
7 |
Daily |
|
Coeliac IgA Autoantibody Screen |
7 |
Daily |
|
Coeliac IgG Autoantibody Screen |
7 |
Daily |
|
Crithidia DNA Autoantibodies |
9 |
Bi-Weekly |
|
Endomysial Antibody (IgA) |
12 |
Weekly |
|
Endomysial Antibody (IgG) |
12 |
Fortnightly |
|
Specific Microbial Antibody Studies |
16 |
Fortnightly |
|
Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody |
6 |
Daily |
|
Intrinsic Factor Antibodies |
7 |
Daily |
|
Liver Antibodies (blot) |
14 |
Weekly |
|
Liver Associated Antibodies (LKS by IIF) |
12 |
x4 Weekly |
|
Myositis Antibody Profile |
12 |
Weekly |
|
Rheumatoid Factor |
6 |
Daily |
|
Skin Autoantibodies |
14 |
Fortnightly |
Turnaround times for tests sent to external laboratories are available on request.
Web Page 59 Last Reviewed: 12/02/2025
