D.M. Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology

Take detailed history in a patient with rheumatic disease and perform complete rheumatological examination

Rationally use and interpret immunological tests

Do diagnostic synovial fluid aspiration and examination

Interpret X-rays, US, MRI, CT , bone densitometry and angiograms

Perform Joint and soft-tissue injections and joint lavage

Develop proficiency in the use of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, immunosuppressive agents and biologics , IVIG

Do Tissue biopsies like salivary gland biopsy, sural nerve biopsy etc(Desirable to know)

Latex fixation test for rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein

Indirect immunofluorescence method for detection of Antinuclear antibodies on HEp-2 cell, ANCA on neutrophils, organ specific antibodies using rat liver, stomach and kidney sections, Crithidia lucillae assay for anti-dsDNA

Nephelometry for the estimation of serum proteins like C3,C4, CRP, RF, Ferritin and immunoglobulins

ELISA technique for the estimation of different autoantibodies like anti-dsDNA, PR3, MPO, CCP2, anti-phospholipid antibodies, cytokines etc

Immunoblot assay for antibodies to specific antigens

Synovial fluid examination to enumerate cell count

Polarizing light microscopy for detection of crystals in synovial fluid

DNA extraction and PCR for HLA B27 (Desirable to know)

HLA typing by micro-lympho-cytotoxicity and PCR (Desirable to know)

Immunodeficiency tests (Desirable to know)

Serum electrophoresis and myeloma screening (Desirable to know)