Laboratory evaluation of immunological dysfunctions in primary immunodeficiency diseases

In primary immunodeficiencies, the malfunction of the immune system is caused by genetic alterations. The physician proposes the most probable diagnosis based on symptoms, clinical signs, the family history and the results of the pathogen identification. To confirm this clinical suspicion, it is essential that the immunological malfunction be tested using in vitro diagnostic procedures. This paper summarizes the screening, confirmatory and disease-specific laboratory methods capable of testing the antibody response, the T cells, the phagocytic function, the complement system and other components of the innate immune system. The genetic tests necessary to make the final diagnosis are beyond the scope of this publication.