Immunology

Conditions

Scope of service

The following conditions will generally not be accepted if referred

• Diagnosis of metal or orthopaedic cement reaction (dermatologists perform DTH skin testing for these conditions).

The Metro North Brisbane Immunology/Allergy service will accept referrals for the following clinical conditions

• Any acute or chronic allergic conditions such as
  • Allergic rhinitis/sinusitis/conjunctivitis
  • Urticaria and angioedema
  • Drug allergy
  • Stinging insect allergy
  • Hereditary angioedema
  • Mastocytosis
• Connective tissue disorders such as
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Scleroderma
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Polymyositis
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
• Vasculitis such as
  • Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)
  • Essential Cryoglobulinaemia
  • Polyarteritis nodosa
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Henoch Schonlein purpura
• Suspected or known immunodeficiency

Referrals - general comments

An Immunologist/Allergist can provide expert consultation for a number of diseases and conditions. These can be divided into two broad categories:

1. Chronic diseases frequently followed by primary care
2. Conditions in which Immunologist/Allergist consultation is usually necessary for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic diseases managed mostly in primary care or by other specialities are:

• Asthma
• Conjunctivitis
• Dermatitis
• Rhinosinusitis

Referral to an Immunologist/Allergist for these conditions is generally to aid in:

• Diagnosis
• Identification of allergic triggers
• Advice for allergen avoidance
• Recommendations for treatment e.g desensitisation

Conditions in which referral to Immunologist/Allergist is necessary for definitive diagnosis and treatment are:

• Anaphylaxis
• Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease or urticaria
• Drug allergy
• Food allergy
• Insect hypersensitivity
• Latex hypersensitivity
• Occupational allergic diseases (in most cases these are best referred to an Occupational Health physician)
• Primary immune deficiency
• Urticaria/angioedema
• Vasculitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren’s syndrome (to search for systemic features)

Specialists list