Immunology

The Royal Adelaide Hospital Clinical Immunology and Allergy department provides a comprehensive inpatient and outpatient clinical service. All medical staff are consultant physicians or trainees, and members of ASCIA (Australian Society for Clinical immunology and Allergy)

Medical Staff

• Dr David Gilllis MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA (Clinical Head of Unit)
• Dr Frank Kette MB BS, FRACP, FRCPA Ph.D
• Dr William Smith MB BS(Hons), FRACP, FRCPA Ph. D

What are allergic and immunological diseases?

We provide a specialist service for diagnosis and management of allergic and immunologic diseases affecting the respiratory system, skin, gastrointestinal tract and other systems. Areas of special interest include the following

• Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis
• Non-allergic rhinitis
• Allergic and non-allergic sinusitis
• Nasal polyposis
• Asthma, allergic and non-allergic
• Immunological lung diseases such as bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, Churg-Strauss disease
• Urticaria and angioedema
• Eczema
• Drug allergy
• Anaphylaxis to foods, insects
• Autoimmune diseases
• Vasculitis
• Systemic inflammatory diseases
• Immunodeficiencies
• Food allergy and intolerance
• Irritable bowel syndrome (assessment for allergies, intolerances)
• Chronic fatigue and idiopathic environmental intolerance (allergic and immunological assessment only)

Investigations and tools

Specialised allergy related diagnosis and management tools include the following

• Skin prick allergy testing (with consultation), intradermal skin testing where appropriate
• Nasal endoscopy
• Inpatient/outpatient challenge testing
• Dietary investigation and advice
• Pulmonary function testing
• Diagnostic laboratory testing including customised tests for IgE to unusual allergens where possible
• Immunotherapy (desensitisation) programmes
• Clinical trials

Did you know?

lmmunotherapy is a highly effective modality for treatment of selected IgE mediated allergic diseases, proven by multiple clinical trials.

Food chemical intolerance is distinct from food allergy, and is not diagnosed by allergy testing but by structured elimination diets and challenge testing.

Nasal polyp disease is usually unrelated to allergy. Non-surgical management can be highly effective.

Contacts and bookings

RAH Level 9 outpatients Phone 8222 5174 during office hours for bookings. Immunology office: Danielle Rovelli +61 8 8222 2953

Patients should not take antihistamines for at least 4 days prior to skin testing.

Private services

Research Interests

The department has a special research interest in nasal polyposis and polypoid rhinosinusitis, aspirin sensitivity, allergic fungal sinusitis, hereditary angioedema, chronic urticaria and adult food allergy.