Dermatopathology Lab
The Dermatopathology Laboratory is located within the University Hospitals Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center and is fully equipped for the processing of all types of skin specimens. High-quality slide preparation and prompt turnaround are featured. We provide personalized and responsive service, expert case-specific consultation, and crisp, accurate diagnoses or differential diagnostic considerations.
Our special expertise in tumors, especially melanoma and lymphoma, and inflammatory disease are considered a valuable regional resource.
Services: Comprehensive analysis of skin lesions, including routine histology, specialized immunohistochemistry, and cytochemistry.
Conditions we diagnose: Skin cancers, pigmented lesions, tumors, infections of the skin, inflammatory skin diseases
Specimens: Skin and mucosal biopsies (shave, punch, or excision)
Immunofluorescence Laboratory
There are complete immunofluorescence facilities available for the diagnostic evaluation of serum, skin and mucosal specimens from patients with autoimmune blistering diseases of the skin, including pemphigus, pemphigoid and related disorders. Immunomapping of congenital blistering disorders is also performed. In addition to a fully equipped Immunopathology Laboratory, there are also the facilities of a research laboratory to perform molecular specificity diagnosis of particularly rare autoimmune disorders.
Services: Full service immunofluorescence diagnostic studies of autoantibodies, immune complexes and blister level in skin biopsies and indirect immunofluorescence studies and serum autoantibodies
Conditions we diagnose: Congenital blistering diseases (epidermolysis bullosa), vasculitis, lupus erythematous, porphyria
Specimens: Skin biopsies of normal or perilesional skin, mucosal epithelial biopsies, blood (two speckled top tubes)
Storage: Refrigerated moist saline gauze for sample to be processed the same day, transport holding media
Immunopathology / Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
The diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas requires determination of the cell type involved and the clonality of the lesion. We provide state-of-the-art and forefront methodology in DNA genotyping complemented by immunoperoxidase cell phenotyping. In addition, new methods to detect gene products of melanoma cells in sentinel lymph nodes and blood are being tested for full clinical application.
Services: Molecular diagnostics and immunoperoxidase studies for lymphoma and melanoma diagnosis, staging and disease monitoring
Conditions we diagnose: Mycosis fungoides, other cutaneous lymphomas, lymphoproliferative disorders; melanoma in blood or lymph nodes
Specimens: Skin, lymph node, or other tumor biopsies, mucosal epithelial biopsies, blood (purple top tube, 20cc)
Storage: Refrigerated immersed in saline. Must arrive same day.
Center for Medical Mycology / Mycology Reference Laboratory
The reference laboratory receives specimens in convenient mailers for rapid fluorescence-aided microscopic diagnosis of fresh material, as well as for culture identifications. The lab also serves as an international reference center for the identification of fungal pathogens, and determines the in vitro susceptibility of fungi against anti-fungal agents. The research program provides both basic and applied science, such as fungal pathogenesis and preclinical evaluation of drugs. The research focus of the clinical trials unit is in clinical mycology, particularly in the pathology, treatment and management of cutaneous and invasive fungal infections.
Services: Fungal culture and identification from skin, nails, hair, or mucosal specimens. Antifungal susceptibility testing.
Conditions we diagnose: Dermatophyte superficial infections of skin, nails and hair; candidal yeast infections
Specimens: Skin scrapings, subungual nail debris, or hairs (10 plucked)
Storage: Dermapak container