Department of Internal Medicine: Allergy-Immunology

Director: Zuhair K Ballas, MD

• Cellular Immunology Diagnostic Laboratory. Provides tests that examine multiple aspects of a patient's immune system. Fully certified by the College of American Pathology, these tests permit the diagnosis of patients with certain immunodeficiencies that might otherwise go undetected.
• Clinical Study Center. Provides Phase II and Phase III clinical studies of newer therapies for patients with asthma and allergic diseases.
• Complement Disorders. Provides specialized care and consultation for patients with complement disorders or abnormalities of the complement system such as hereditary angioedema.
• Fiberoptic Rhinoscopy. This specialized procedure evaluates patients with intranasal and nasopharyngeal lesions including mucosal changes, anatomic abnormalities, sinus infections, and nasal polyps.
• Food Allergy Service. Coordinates the care and education of patients with known or suspected food allergies.  Provides diagnostic testing including open and double-blinded food challenges.
• Immunodeficiency Clinic. Evaluates patients with recurrent infections or multiple immune system abnormalities, excluding HIV infection. Patients suspected of HIV infection but for whom HIV testing is negative are excellent candidates for this clinic's services.
• Latex Allergy Clinic. Coordinates the care and education of patients allergic to latex, especially high-risk categories for latex allergy such as health care workers, patients who require multiple surgery, patients who have frequent contact with latex medical products, workers in the rubber industry, and people with existing allergic sensitivities.