CLIA Lab

CLIA Lab
 
Mission and Supervision
Scope of Tests
Details for ABPA, ABPM and HP Assays
Details for OILD Assays
 
Mission:  The Northwestern University Allergy-Immunology Laboratory has perfomed diagnostic tests for identification of cases of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and occupational immunologic lung disease since 1972. The mission is to be a reference laboratory of the highest quality to assist physicians and their patients with these conditions.
We have been licensed continuously under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) since 1988.  The CLIA number is 14D 688624.  The Illinois laboratory license number is 2417. We participate in proficiency testing administered by the College of American Pathology; the identification number for our laboratory is 18708-12-01.
Supervision: The CLIA laboratory director is Paul A. Greenberger, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.  The co-director is Leslie C. Grammer, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Scope of Tests:The Allergy-Immunology Laboratory analyzes sera for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and occupational immunologic lung diseases (OILD). 

The tests for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) include
1) total serum IgE concentration (normal in adults up to 417 kU/L or 1000 ng/ml),
2) precipitating antibodies to Aspergillus fumigatus,
3) serum IgE antibody to Aspergillus fumigatus, and
4) serum IgG antibody to Aspergillus fumigatus. 
In special cases, we can test sera for anti-fungal IgE and IgG where there may be cases of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis from other fungi such as Fusarium, Curvularia, Cephalosporium, and Penicillium.

The tests for hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) consist of precipitating antibodies to the possible source of exposure such as thermophilic (heat liking) bacteria, fungi, and bird droppings.  The lab can perform testing for patients who may have avian hypersensitivity pneumonitis from parakeets, cockatiels, cockatoos, finches, love birds, geese, turkeys, racing pigeons, and parrots, as examples.  We also can perform assays for less commonly recognized sources such as owls, hawks, and macaws.

 The tests to the occupational immunologic lung diseases (OILD) include assays for antibodies to acid anhydrides which are used in the manufacture of epoxy resins, anti corrosive coating materials and plasticizers. Testing for antibodies to diisocyanates, which are necessary catalysts used for production of polyurethane foam and spray paint for automobiles can also be done.  The tests for acid anhydrides include trimellitic anhydride (TMA), hexahydrophthalic anhydride (HHPA), phthalic anhydride (PA), tetrachlorophthalic anhydride (TCPA), and malic anhydride (MA).  The tests for diisocyanates include diphenylmethyl diisocyanate (MDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).