Diagnostic hematology

In this area, analyses are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as an emergency analysis, including automated blood count with erythrogram, leukogram, nucleogram and microscopic leukocyte differentiation.

Coagulation status with Quick/INR, APTT, thrombin time, fibrinogen, factors II-IV-VII, D-dimers and determination of all anticoagulants (heparins, vitamin K antagonists, NOAC). Emergency thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is made available to the intensive care units and operating theaters via a direct network connection.

Special analysis of hemostasis for hemorrhagic diatheses, thrombophilia, platelet dysfunction, coagulation inhibitors, ADAMTS13 determination for microangiopathies and heparin antibodies.

Morphology of peripheral blood and leukocyte differentiation (digital or discussion microscopy). Bone marrow aspirates are streaked, stained and assessed. Special analysis of hemoglobinopathies using HPLC.

In this area, special analyses are carried out using flow cytometry technology for the diagnosis and therapy monitoring of leukemias, lymphomas, thrombopathies and others:

• Determination of lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD16/CD56 and others). These tests are particularly indicated for monitoring the course of HIV infection, in the post-transplant stage and during immunosuppressive treatment
• Diagnosis of acute leukemias and their subdivision into acute myeloid and acute lymphatic leukemias and their subtypes
• Diagnosis of lymphoproliferative neoplasms: differentiation between reactive and neoplastic lymphocytosis and characterization of mature cell lymphoid neoplasms (B-, T-, NK-cell type, plasma cell myeloma)
• Quantification of minimal residual disease ("MRD") in hematologic neoplasms (acute leukemias, mature cell lymphoid neoplasms, plasma cell myeloma) during and after therapy
• Examination of the maturation of myeloid cells as part of the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome
• Immunophenotyping in systemic mastocytosis
• Diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
• Counting of haemopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells) in the blood during mobilization for stem cell transplantation and counting of haemopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells) in the transplant
• Diagnosis of platelet receptor defects and their function in the clarification of thrombopathies

In this area, various modern techniques, including Next Generation Sequencing NGS, are used to clarify malignant hematologic diseases using molecular biology:

• Screening for acute and chronic leukemias and myeloproliferative syndromes, both at initial diagnosis and during the course of the disease in the search for minimal residual disease (MRD)
• Determination of donor chimerism in the course after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
• Determination of factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutation of genetic thrombophilia

This team carries out HLA compatibility tests for stem cell transplantation as well as complete immunological tests for kidney transplantation:

• HLA typing as part of a donor search for stem cell transplantation incl. donor-specific HLA antibodies
• Complete immunological clarifications for kidney transplantation (HLA typing, HLA antibody analyses, crossmatch)
• Typing for HLA-associated diseases (e.g. HLA-B27, HLA-B*57:01)
• HLA typing for other indications (e.g. platelet donation)

You can find our order form here. We will also be happy to advise you on the clarifications by telephone (061 328 63 41) or by e-mail.

This team prepares stem cell preparations and other cell products for autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and stores them until transplantation. The following preparations are processed:

• Whole bone marrow
• Mobilized peripheral stem cells
• Umbilical cord blood stem cells
• Donor lymphocytes for transfusion to patients after stem cell transplantation
• Donor NK cell expansion ex-vivo and transfusion to patients after stem cell transplantation
• Donor T cell sensitization against CMV and EBV viruses and transfusion to immunocompromised patients with viral infections
• Specific CAR-T cell products (CTL019, Novartis project) for the treatment of leukemia or lymphoma

Under certain conditions, unwanted cells (e.g. T lymphocytes, erythrocytes) are eliminated after collection of the transplant and target cells (e.g. CD34+ cells, NK cells) are enriched.