Immunology
Frequently asked questions
What is listed in the result report?
Our result report involves in addition to individual results a comment which summarizes the overall laboratory findings or possibly includes other recommendations. When there is a positive finding, we verify in the information system whether similar result was already detected in the patient in the past.
The laboratory actively cooperates with the physicians and when additional examinations are required, we attempt to carry out the examination from the original serum which is stored in the clinic. If necessary, we require a new sampling. Immunologists from the GENNET clinic or an immunologist from another clinic of your choice, especially for patients outside Prague, is in charge of the treatment.
What makes the immunology laboratory of GENNET so special?
We are a young laboratory with big plans and willingness to introduce the latest investigative methods.
The specialty of our clinic involves in particular the following:
- Using processed sperm of the partner to stimulate the woman´s blood in testing of production of cytokines and activation of NK cells. If it is not available, we use a sample of donor sperm.
- Examination of sperm by flow cytometry including assessment of apoptosis and DNA fragmentation
- Sperm collection is performed in the clinic Archa, which houses both IVF center (with collection booths for men) and immunological laboratory. Sperm cells are therefore immediately forwarded to the examination and the results are not biased by transport.
What other services are provided by the immunology laboratory?
We perform the usual immunological testing for patients of allergists, general practitioners, gastroenterologists, gynecologists etc. We also provide examinations of allergen-specific IgE tests including component diagnostics using the method FEIA (CAP).
We also offer the possibility to have allergies examined using the method Optigen, which is a defined panel of 20 allergens tested at once. The method is suitable for patients who want to check whether they are allergic.
We also provide methods of fluorescence microscopy, test of respiratory burst, basophil activation tests and others. A complete list of examination is stated in Laboratory manual. Our laboratory is accredited according to the standard CSN EN ISO 15189:2013.
What treatment is recommended in case of positive results?
In case of positive results which are indicative of a problem of the immune system of the patient, the couple should undergo immunological testing. With regard to the health status of the partners and plans of IVF center, a further course of treatment is scheduled. Immunological examination of the ejaculate is added for men (if not already done earlier) and the patient is in the case of positive findings advised to see an urologist who determines further course of treatment. All clinics are connected by a unified information system. This makes it possible to share results and track the progress of treatment as well as the success rate of cycles.
What are the plans for immunology laboratory in the future?
We have great plans, but at the moment we are working on introducing the method MACS into routine use in our IVF centers. Using magnetic beads with bound antibodies against annexin V enables to capture apoptotic sperm cells from the semen and thus purified ejaculate is more suitable for IUI, IVF and ICSI. At the same time, we will be able to improve the quality of frozen sperm samples. This procedure begins to be applied in IVF centers, but we will in addition recommend it to patients on the basis of cytometric analysis of apoptosis in the semen and the real numbers of apoptotic cells in the ejaculate. Other centers cannot provide this. Foreign studies show that MACS beads significantly increase the probability of conception.
