Review
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World J Immunol. Jul 27, 2013; 3(2): 18-30
Published online Jul 27, 2013. doi: 10.5411/wji.v3.i2.18
Role of the clinical immunology laboratory in disease monitoring
John Maher
John Maher, Department of Immunology, Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 3DJ, United Kingdom
John Maher, King’s College London, King’s Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre, Department of Research Oncology, Guy’s Hospital Campus, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom
John Maher, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Maher J solely contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: John Maher, MD, PhD, King’s College London, King’s Health Partners Integrated Cancer Centre, Department of Research Oncology, Guy’s Hospital Campus, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT, United Kingdom. john.maher@kcl.ac.uk
Telephone: +44-207-1881468 Fax: +44-207-1880919
Received: February 22, 2013
Revised: April 24, 2013
Accepted: May 16, 2013
Published online: July 27, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: Immunological investigations provide useful information to guide diagnosis of several disorders. Many such tests are also commonly repeated at intervals, in an effort to facilitate disease monitoring. Here, the evidence underlying the need and appropriate minimum interval between repeated testing has been critically evaluated.