Head of Laboratory: Dr. Deniz Alexandrou BSc, MSc, MA, PhD
The Immunology Laboratory of Nicosia General Hospital provides services to Nicosia General Hospital, Makarios Hospital in Nicosia, all Health Centers of the Nicosia District, as well as other OKYPY hospitals, covering a wide range of immunological examinations. At the same time, it functions as a Reference Laboratory for specialized tests both for OKYPY hospitals and for private laboratories and/or medical centers. The Immunology Laboratory significantly contributes to Public Health, serving various population groups such as refugee and political asylum applicants, and performing confirmatory tests for important infectious disease markers. It is the National Laboratory for Measles and Rubella and is accredited by the World Health Organization. It acts as a Reference Center for laboratory immunology tests in the fields of autoantibodies, allergies, and infectious diseases.
Since its establishment in 1988, the Immunology Laboratory has aimed to provide valid and reliable high-quality laboratory tests in accordance with European and international standards, using modern immunological testing methods and state-of-the-art equipment. Its organization and development were based on supporting all clinical departments in the main immunology fields that have clinical applications. For this purpose, various methods were developed and applied covering the full spectrum of immunodiagnostic testing in the major immunology areas. It contributes to disease diagnosis—both through screening programs and symptomatic examinations—treatment determination, treatment effectiveness monitoring, and disease progression follow-up.
The laboratory participates in external quality assessment programs for its tests, conducted by recognized international bodies (NEQAS, INSTAND, WHO, ECDC), and is accredited with ISO 15189:2012 by the Cyprus Accreditation Body for a wide range of examinations. Its primary goals are the provision of high-level health services as well as educational and research activities.
There is the capability to perform >200 tests for autoimmune diseases and allergies and >130 serodiagnostic tests for infectious/immunity-related conditions (>330 different examinations using a broad range of methods such as ELISA, CLIA, CMIA, IFA, Immunoblots, Immunodots, etc.).
It serves as an ECDC reference laboratory for antibody screening for Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis, Rubella, Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis, Varicella, and Rubella.
It performs antibody screening for Public Health purposes such as Coronavirus, West Nile Virus, Dengue, Zika, etc.
The laboratory has extensive experience in laboratory diagnosis and monitoring of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Myositis, Sjögren’s Syndrome, autoimmune vasculitides, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease, autoimmune liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. To date, more than 150 different autoimmune diseases have been described, with immune system dysfunction as their common feature. Daily, a large number of samples are tested for a wide range of autoantibodies against organ-specific and non–organ-specific antigens using various methods:
These tests should only be performed upon clinical suspicion, and the test type requested must be based on existing evidence-based medical knowledge. Diagnosis is based on patient symptoms, physical findings, and laboratory results. The laboratory receives and processes samples from hospital patients, outpatients, patients from other city hospitals, and private laboratories.
The Immunology Laboratory participated in research with the University of Cyprus on celiac disease by performing diagnostic testing for tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies and anti-gliadin antibodies. Tissue transglutaminase is the primary autoantigen in celiac disease, and gliadin antibody levels correlate with morphological changes of the small intestine mucosa.
This examination is performed at the Immunology Laboratory of Nicosia General Hospital on stool samples. Calprotectin is a highly stable protein that, after specific processing, can be measured in stool and remains unchanged for over 7 days. It is a useful, non-invasive diagnostic test for distinguishing between organic and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Therefore, it is recommended for patients with clinical symptoms common to many gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is a valid tool for diagnosing the above disorders, monitoring clinical progression, and optimizing treatment.
The laboratory performs testing of basic allergens (Fluorescence enzyme immunoassay – ImmunoCAP Phadia 250) which include groups of inhalants, foods, fungi, mites, epithelia, insects, trees, plants, cultivated and wild grasses, as well as specialized allergens such as Tryptase and ECP. Due to the continually increasing number of allergens available, the department can immediately expand available allergens when clinical needs demand it, ensuring better diagnostic and therapeutic support for patients.
The laboratory has participated in research on asthma prevalence among pulmonology clinic patients of Nicosia General Hospital, with results forming the first nationwide study in Cyprus on this topic.
The laboratory is a Reference Center for infectious diseases such as HIV, HCV, HBV, Syphilis, etc., receiving cases from both the public and private sectors, as well as from the Blood Center.
Using chemiflex, CMIA (microparticle chemiluminescence), CLIA, and ELISA methods, a large number of antibody or antigen markers for infectious diseases are performed. Agglutination tests and Immunoblots are also carried out.
Daily blood tests include: Hepatitis A, B, C, HIV (AIDS), Syphilis, Rubella, CMV, EBV, VZV and other herpesviruses, Toxoplasma, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis, Parvovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Borrelia, etc.
Weekly specialized tests include: Echinococcus, Helicobacter pylori, Yersinia, Legionella, Chlamydia pneumoniae and trachomatis, Adenoviruses, Enteroviruses, RSV, Hepatitis D and E.
Immunity testing against Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, Varicella, Mumps, Pertussis, Measles, Rubella, etc.
Specialized tests for Rickettsia and Coxiella by IFA.
Confirmatory testing for positive results, annual screening of chronic patients, organ donor testing, and testing of other population groups in institutional settings such as prisoners and political refugees.
Health certificate examinations.
Public Health–related testing in consultation with the Ministry of Health.
Appointments and Information
