Immunology Testing Clinic in McLean VA, Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Gaithersburg MD, and Rockville MD
Immunology testing provides essential insights into the health of your immune system. These tests can help identify immune-related disorders such as immune deficiencies, allergies, and inflammatory conditions by analyzing how your body’s immune system responds. With advanced diagnostic tools, you can gain a better understanding of your immune health and take steps towards proper treatment and management. Visit Dr. Oral Alpan, MD, and his team to assess your immune health. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in McLean VA, Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Gaithersburg MD, and Rockville MD.




Table of Contents:
What is immunology testing, and what does it diagnose?
How can immunology testing help identify immune system disorders?
What conditions are commonly detected through immunology tests?
What types of samples are required for immunology testing?
At Amerimmune Clinic, our immunology testing involves a wide range of laboratory assessments that focus on evaluating different components of the immune system. We collect blood samples for standard test through commercial labs such as Quest and LabCorp, and run unique immune tests in Amerimmune’s diagnostic lab. Both are crucial to understand the health of the immune system.
Our immunology testing services are pivotal in diagnosing a broad array of conditions, such as:
• Autoimmune Disorders: We help identify autoantibodies that indicate autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s tissues.
• Immunodeficiencies: Our tests are crucial for diagnosing conditions where the immune system is weakened, whether inherited or acquired and cannot effectively combat infections.
• Allergic Reactions: We identify specific allergens triggering immune responses using skin prick tests or blood tests, helping manage symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, or skin rashes.
• Infectious Diseases: Our immunology tests detect antibodies and immune markers to reveal the presence of specific pathogens, aiding in the diagnosis of infections.
By offering valuable insights into the immune system’s current state and disease progression, Amerimmune Clinic’s immunology testing empowers healthcare providers to make informed decisions about your care, ensuring you receive the most effective and personalized treatment possible.
At Amerimmune Clinic, our advanced diagnostic services provide detailed insights into the functioning and potential dysregulations of your immune system, enabling us to tailor treatment strategies effectively.
Antibody Testing:
Abnormal antibody levels may indicate autoimmune disorders, where your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s tissues or an impaired immune response. Tests like the antinuclear antibody (ANA) test performed can help diagnose conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis by detecting abnormal antibodies.
Flow Cytometry:
At Amerimmune Clinic, we use flow cytometry to analyze individual immune cells, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. By assessing their number, distribution, and activation state, we can identify abnormalities in cell populations that may indicate immune deficiencies or autoimmune diseases.
Complement System Analysis:
Our complement system analysis tests for complement components to reveal deficiencies that may increase susceptibility to infections and indicate disorders such as hereditary angioedema or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Hypersensitivity Testing:
Through skin tests and allergen-specific IgE tests, Amerimmune Clinic identifies hypersensitivity disorders, where your immune system overreacts to harmless substances, leading to allergies or asthma.
Genetic Testing:
Genetic testing can identify mutations in genes that control immune function. Understanding these mutations can help diagnose inherited immunodeficiencies or assess the risk of developing certain immune-related disorders.
Our approach helps clinicians accurately diagnose immune system disorders, tailor treatments, and monitor disease progression, ultimately improving patient outcomes and enhancing your quality of life.
Immunology tests are a cornerstone of our approach, enabling us to detect and manage various conditions with precision and care.
Autoimmune Disorders: Our clinic specializes in diagnosing autoimmune disorders, where the immune system erroneously targets the body’s tissues. Through precise immunology testing, we identify and manage conditions such as:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Graves’ disease
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Immunodeficiency Disorders: We utilize immunology tests to pinpoint and treat immunodeficiency disorders, which impair the body’s ability to combat infections effectively. Conditions we focus on include:
• Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
• IgA deficiency
• X-linked agammaglobulinemia
Allergic Reactions: Our advanced testing methods measure Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to diagnose and manage allergic reactions, tailoring treatment plans for:
• Asthma
• Allergies (food, pollen, insect stings)
• Anaphylaxis
Infectious Diseases: We employ immunology tests to detect antibodies against various pathogens, aiding in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases such as:
• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
• Lyme disease
• Toxoplasmosis
Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: Our diagnostic capabilities extend to identifying inflammatory diseases driven by immune system activity, including:
• Vasculitis
• Myocarditis
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped to perform a variety of tests that assess the immune system’s function and response to different stimuli, using diverse sample types tailored to the specific needs of each patient.
• Blood Testing: Blood tests are a cornerstone of our diagnostic approach. At Amerimmune Clinic, we analyze blood samples to measure antibodies, and other immune proteins, providing crucial insights into your immune health.
• Serum Analysis: We utilize serum to assess the levels of antibodies, complements, and other soluble immune components, essential for understanding autoimmune conditions and immune deficiencies.
• Plasma Testing: By analyzing plasma, we gain additional insights into coagulation factors and other elements that influence immune function, helping us tailor personalized treatment plans.
• Urine Tests: Our urine tests provide a non-invasive method to evaluate immune system activity, offering valuable information on immune proteins and metabolites that reflect overall immune health.
• Saliva Assessments: Saliva testing is used for non-invasive assessments of immunoglobulins, and hormones, providing a comprehensive picture of mucosal immunity.
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Evaluation: For conditions affecting the nervous system, such as neurological autoimmune disorders, our CSF analysis can detect immune cells and proteins, offering critical diagnostic information.
• Synovial Fluid Analysis: In cases of joint-related immune conditions, we assess synovial fluid for markers of inflammation and immune response, aiding in accurate diagnosis and management.
• Swab Tests: By collecting swabs from the nose, throat, or other mucosal surfaces, we can detect pathogens or specific immune responses, providing targeted insights into respiratory and mucosal immunity.
At Amerimmune Clinic, we prioritize precise sample collection and preparation to ensure accurate and reliable test results.
Explore the depths of your immune system with confidence at Amerimmune Clinic, where your health and well-being are our utmost priority. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you. We serve patients from McLean VA, Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Gaithersburg MD, Rockville MD, Vienna VA, IdylWood VA, Lincolnia VA, Groveton VA, Falls Church VA, North Bethesda MD, Takoma Park MD, Montgomery Village MD, Redland MD, Aspen Hill MD, and surrounding areas.
Flow Cytometry Testing:
At Amerimmune Clinic, we specialize in advanced diagnostics and personalized care for immune-related conditions, with flow cytometry playing a vital role. This sophisticated laboratory technique allows us to analyze the physical and biochemical properties of cells, offering critical insights into immune system function. It helps us diagnose and manage a range of conditions with greater precision.
Hematological and Immune System Disorders
Flow cytometry is crucial for diagnosing and classifying hematological malignancies, it also aids in evaluating immune cell populations, essential immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. By providing detailed cell profiles, flow cytometry enhances our ability to tailor treatments, monitor disease progression, and optimize patient outcomes. Whether evaluating complex immune responses or tracking the effectiveness of treatments, this technique is central to our comprehensive care approach.
At Amerimmune Clinic, we leverage advanced flow cytometry techniques to provide comprehensive analyses of cellular characteristics, aiding in the diagnosis and management of immune-related conditions. Accurate and reliable results begin with meticulous sample preparation, tailored specifically to our clinical needs.
• Cell Collection: Our process begins with our expert providers collecting blood samples for our diagnostic lab.
• Erythrocyte Lysis: In blood samples, erythrocytes (red blood cells) are selectively lysed (broken down) and removed to prevent interference with the analysis. This step is crucial for isolating leukocytes (white blood cells), which are the focus of our immune assessments.
• Cell Staining: Our laboratory employs a panel of fluorescently labeled antibodies or dyes, chosen based on the specific markers relevant to the immune conditions we are investigating. This step allows for a detailed characterization of cell populations.
• Cell Fixation: Post-staining, cells may be fixed using agents like paraformaldehyde to preserve their structural integrity, particularly when intracellular staining is required for detailed immune profiling.
• Cytometry Preparation: Stained and fixed cells undergo thorough washing to eliminate unbound antibodies or excess reagents, and are resuspended in a flow cytometry buffer optimized for our diagnostic instruments.
• Run the Sample: The prepared samples are analyzed using our state-of-the-art flow cytometers. Each cell passes through a laser beam individually, allowing us to detect emitted light from fluorescent labels and accurately quantify cell populations based on size, shape, and marker expression.
Our commitment to meticulous sample preparation in flow cytometry ensures the highest accuracy and reproducibility of data, empowering us to deliver reliable insights into our patients’ immune health.
Flow cytometry offers significant advantages over traditional diagnostic methods by allowing comprehensive analysis of immune cell populations at the single-cell level. Unlike older techniques that examine cells in bulk, flow cytometry can simultaneously measure multiple parameters, such as cell size, complexity, and specific surface markers, on individual cells. This enables a much more detailed and precise characterization of immune cells, which is crucial for diagnosing and managing complex immune-related conditions.
In addition to its high-resolution capabilities, flow cytometry allows us to distinguish between different cell populations, including rare or abnormal cells that may not be detected with other methods. This level of sensitivity is particularly important for conditions such as immunodeficiencies and infections, where accurate identification of cell types can significantly influence treatment decisions.
Furthermore, flow cytometry can process large numbers of cells quickly, providing results faster than traditional methods, which typically require time-consuming procedures like tissue culture or manual counting. The ability to gather extensive data in a single test makes flow cytometry a powerful tool for both diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of disease progression, allowing for more personalized and effective treatment plans.
At Amerimmune Clinic, we focus on offering comprehensive and timely diagnostic services to support patient care. One advanced technique we utilize is flow cytometry, a laboratory method that analyzes the physical and chemical characteristics of cells in a fluid. This technology is especially valuable in immunophenotyping, which helps us assess the immune profile of our patients, improving the diagnosis and management of various immune-related conditions.
Advantages of Flow Cytometry
Flow cytometry allows us to analyze individual cells with high precision, examining multiple characteristics simultaneously. Unlike traditional methods, this technique can distinguish between different cell populations based on surface markers, offering a more detailed understanding of the immune system. It provides insights into immune cell distribution, activation, and function, which are critical for diagnosing immune system disorders.
To the second paragraph, add this: Because of the complex nature of the test and the demand for accuracy, flow cytometry results are ready in approximately 2 weeks. Each report is accompanied by an interpretation to aid the provider in understanding the findings. The ability to analyze large numbers of cells quickly and accurately enhances diagnostic accuracy and supports personalized treatment plans.
By using flow cytometry, we can offer our patients more precise, efficient, and effective diagnostic services, ensuring that each patient receives the most appropriate and tailored care possible for their specific condition.
At Amerimmune Clinic, we are dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge diagnostic tools like flow cytometry to enhance patient care and outcomes, ensuring that our patients receive accurate and timely information essential for their health management.
BASOPHIL ACTIVATION AND LYMPHOCYTE IMMUNOPHENOTYPING PANEL (BLIP or BAT COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS BASOPHIL ACTIVATION TESTING) is a functional assay that measures the degree of degranulation following stimulation with allergen or controls by flow cytometry. It correlates directly with histamine release. IT TESTS WITH SAFETy, and a high level of SPECIFICITY and sensitivity IN CONJUNCTION WITH A FOOD CHALLENGE. BAT reduces the need for in vivo procedures, such as intradermal tests and allergen challenges, which can cause allergic reactions of unpredictable severity. BASOPHIL TESTING OPTIMIZES MANAGEMENT OF FOOD ALLERGIC PATIENTS, ALLOWING FOR TARGETED THERAPY SUCH AS ORAL FOOD CHALLENGE OR ORAL IMMUNOTHERAPY. The results should be interpreted in the context of clinical history and other food allergy testing results. Learn more about it by reading our paper published in Allergy.
Markers include: Basophil Identification- IgE, CD123, CD193, Basophil Response- CD63, CD203c, and Lymphocyte Immune Phenotyping- CD3, CD4, CD8, CD16, CD20, CD45, CD45RO, CD56, CD294
Our Progenitor Eosinophil Immunophenotyping Panel (PEIP) identifies and semi-quantitates the eosinophil progenitor cells in the peripheral blood. In patients with eosinophilic derived inflammatory diseases, it is thought that eosinophils originating from hematopoietic stem cells located in the bone marrow are mobilized to sites of inflammation. It is at these peripheral sites of inflammation where the eosinophilic progenitor (EOP) cells differentiate and proliferate. PEIP offers your patients a minimally-invasive alternative to monitoring disease activity.
Markers include:
lineage: (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD11b, CD14, CD19, CD20, CD56, CD235a), CD45RA, CD125, CD123, CD38, CD34.
Reportable: CD45RA-CD43High+ % of all cells, CD45RA-CD34High+ Absolute Number (Cells/mL Blood), EOP cells-% of all cells, EOP cells-Absolute Number (Cells/mL Blood), Ratio of EOP cells: CD45RA-CD43High+, % of all Cells, Absolute number.

Additional Services You May Need
▸ Allergy Consultation
▸ Immunology Consultation
▸ Allergen Immunotherapy
▸ Allergy Vials
▸ Allergy Shots
▸ Biological Drug Administration
▸ Diagnostic Testing
▸ Skin Prick Testing
▸ Allergy Patch Testing
▸ Oral Food Challenge Testing
▸ Nasal Swab Culture Testing
▸ Routine Venipuncture Testing
▸ Telehealth
▸ Immunology Testing
▸ Food Allergy Testing

Additional Services You May Need
▸ Allergy Consultation
▸ Immunology Consultation
▸ Allergen Immunotherapy
▸ Allergy Vials
▸ Allergy Shots
▸ Biological Drug Administration
▸ Diagnostic Testing
▸ Skin Prick Testing
▸ Allergy Patch Testing
▸ Oral Food Challenge Testing
▸ Nasal Swab Culture Testing
▸ Routine Venipuncture Testing
▸ Telehealth
▸ Immunology Testing
▸ Food Allergy Testing