Factors influencing changes in the clinical immunology laboratory.

The clinical immunology laboratory is primarily concerned with tests for diagnosing disease and monitoring the therapy and course of diseases mediated by immune mechanisms. In the future, the immunology laboratory will provide test services on a disease-oriented basis and will utilize assays of humoral and cellular immunity, as well as other assays based on molecular techniques. The laboratory scientist will work closely with clinicians and provide interactive consultation. The major factors that will influence future laboratory tests are: (a) governmental regulations, (b) healthcare economics, (c) advances in technology, and (d) advances in development and use of therapeutic agents. Here I discuss the interplay of these factors and their likely effect on the future role of the immunology laboratory.