University of Nairobi – Immunology Laboratory Unit

The immunology laboratory of the University of Nairobi was created in 1969 as a unit in the department of pathology. From 1972, the unit became a WHO Immunology Research and Training Centre providing teaching and research for the African region. The centre was mandated to provide postgraduate course in immunology for the African region, as well as teaching immunology to undergraduate and postgraduate students of the University of Nairobi. Research in the unit was mainly on parasitic infections common within the region. 1n 1979 the centre was handed over to the University of Nairobi, when it became a section of immunology in the Department of Pathology. Currently the Immunology unit is one the autonomous unit in the expanded Department of Human Pathology which comprises of:

• Anatomic Pathology
• Clinical Chemistry
• Haematology and Blood Transfusion
• Immunology

Laboratory Capacity

Human Resources
Currently Immunology laboratory comprises of 16 professional laboratory staff competent to offer most of the immunology examinations/tests required for research and patients care. All the staff are trained in Good Laboratory Practice and Ethics. All the laboratory tests are performed under very strict good laboratory practices (GLP) following specific laboratory standards operating procedures.

Equipement
The laboratory is equipped with instruments necessary to process and test patients specimens for a wide array of medical conditions. Over the time is has acquired sophisticated immunology and virology laboratory equipment such as:

• System 340 bDNA analyser
• PE Thermo cycler 9600
• MX3000P Real Time PCR
• Abbott m2000rt Real Time PCR(Waiting set up)
• BD FACSCalibre (4 colour)
• Labsystem well washer
• Thermo Labystem multiscan
• Biosafety level II Laminar flow hood
• Refrigerated and Non-refrigerated Microcentrifuges
• Centrifuge
• Heavy duty freezers

Expertise
Immunology has technical expertise in the following areas.

• Antibody/antigen isolation and identification
• Cell separation
• DNA/RNA isolation and identification
• Serology: A wide variety of immunoassays are conducted in serology section especially by use of Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
• HIV
• HBV
• HCV
• Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
• T3/T4/TSH
• PSA
• Toxoplasmosis(IgG/IgM)
• C-peptide
• Alpha foetal protein(AFP)
• EBV
• CMV
• HSV
• Molecular biology: This section is able to perform molecular biology tests such as
  • PCR both Traditional RT-PCR and Real Time PC
  •  Assays
  • HIV RNA assay
  • HIV DNA assay for pediatric HIV diagnosis using both whole blood and from filter papers (DBS)
• Others tests (done on special request)
  • HBV
  • HCV
  • CMV
  • GC
  • CT
• Nucleic Acid extraction(DNA/RNA)
• PBMCs preparation
• Cellular immunology: This section is able to conduct identification of cellular markers by use of Flowcytometric method such as:
  • Lymphocyte cell markers (e.g. CD4 cell count, CD8 Cell Count , CD4 Cell Percentage ,CD8 Cell Percentage)

Quality Assurance
All the tests are done to provide utmost laboratory test quality and integrity. All the methods and practices conform to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards. All records, study samples, specimens are retained and archived. Study samples and specimens are archived in temperature and monitored deep freezers. The staff participates on ongoing Good laboratory Practice and ethics Training and certification. The laboratory participates in an external quality control programme with National External Quality Assurance System of UK (UKNEQAS).