The C17/GSH Haematology Laboratory offers a 24 hours a day diagnostic service to GSH, as well as to some peripheral hospitals such as Mowbray Maternity, Victoria Hospital and False Bay Hospitals. This includes testing of full blood counts, white blood cell differential counts, and routine coagulation testing.
Antenatal testing for red cell blood groups and serum antibodies is performed for numerous obstetric units.
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Haematology laboratory staff and A/Prof J. Opie at NHLS diagnostic laboratory, Groote Schuur Hospital |
Specialised tests include:
• Bone marrow biopsies: Cytological and histological examination are performed for the investigation, diagnosis, and follow-up of haematological malignancies, cytopenias, and cytoses.
• Flow cytometry: For the diagnosis and monitoring of leukaemias and lymphomas, CD34 cell counting prior to stem cell transplantation, and for the diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) clones.
• Testing of patients with bleeding disorders including those with haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and factor inhibitors.
• Testing for the Lupus Anticoagulant
• Testing for inherited clotting disorders (see molecular tests)
• Testing of patients for haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and thalassaemia using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
• Platelet function analysis using the PFA-200 analyser
Further tests are regularly becoming available.
Molecular tests available:
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JAK2V617F |
Chronic myeloproliferative disorder (Philadelphia negative) confirmatory test |
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CALR and MPL mutations |
Chronic myeloproliferative disorder (Philadelphia negative) confirmatory test |
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BCR/ABL p190 and p210 qualitative assay |
Diagnostic chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) assay
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BCR/ABL p210 quantitative assay |
Monitoring of CML patients
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ABL kinase mutation detection assay |
Assessment of treatment resistance mutations in CML patients
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PML/RARA detection assay |
Diagnosis and monitoring disease in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)
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FLT3 ITD detection assay |
Prognostic assay for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with normal cytogenetics |
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Factor V Leiden/ Prothrombin/MTHFR point mutation assay |
Inherited thrombosis risk factors |