Immunology

Conditions

Paediatric services

Referrals for children and young people should follow the Children’s Health Queensland referral guidelines.

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 managed mostly in primary care or by other specialities:

• 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

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

• 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