Head of Laboratory:

Associate Professor Dr Margarita Genova, MD, PhD

Staff:

Assistant Professor Dr Vessela Nikolova, MD

Dr Johan Dimitrov, MD

Our Mission is to provide leadership in all three of the activities of an academic hematological laboratory, namely clinical service for excellence in diagnostics of hematological diseases, education of undergraduates, postgraduates and PhD students in clinical hematology and and in conduct of research on diseases of the blood.

Activities:

The Laboratory of Cytopathology and Histopathology is a part of a comprehensive hematology center that serves Sofia and the region, as well as patients who are referred here from throughout Bulgaria. The collective expertise of the Cytology and Pathology Staff, and the broad spectrum of hematological diseases encountered in our center ensure for excellent and well-balanced activities in cytopathology, cytochemistry, fine needle aspiration biopsies, bone-marrow biopsies [trephine biopsies], histopathology, immunohistochemistry, flowcytometry, experimental hematology.

The Laboratory is a leading unit in the diagnosis and monitoring of hematological diseases and performs:

Ø           Full-scope of diagnostics and classification of Acute leukemiaS by cytological examination, cytochemistry and immunophenotyping. Monitoring of treatment response and minimal residual disease in patients management. Diagnosis and follow -up of relapses.

Ø           Complex diagnosis of Myelodysplastic syndromes and Chronic myeloproliferative disorders by cytological examination and, complemented by bone-marrow biopsies when applicable;

Ø           Wide-scope of diagnostics and classification of Lymphomas –Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s by histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry. Fine needle aspiration for screening and follow-up of enlarged lymph nodes. Bone marrow evaluation by trephine biopsies for staging and follow up of treatment.

Ø           Cytological diagnosis of AnemiaS.

Ø           Diagnosis of Bone marrow failure by cytological and histological evaluation of bone marrow specimens.

Ø           Detailed analysis of blood cell populations by multi-parameter flow cytometry:

-        enumeration of lymphocyte subpopulations – CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, NK cells, etc. in immunodeficiency studies;

-        CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cell enumeration;

-        assessment of leukocyte contamination of blood products;

-        assessment of leukocyte surface and cytoplasmic antigens for leukemia and lymphoma phenotyping and identification of prognostically relevant subgroups;

-        multi drug resistance evaluation;

-        DNA content, etc.

Facilities:

Ø              Facilities for cytological and cytochemical diagnostics, cytospin preparations of body cavity fluids and effusions.

Ø              Facilities for preparation of histological samples and bone marrow biopsies.

Ø              Immunohistochemistry for diagnosis of lymphomas on paraffin-embedded tissues.

Ø              Flow cytometry equipment – 3-colour flow cytometer FACSCalibur with cell-sorting option [Becton Dickinson], 4-colour flow cytometer COULTER EPICS XL-MCL [Beckman Coulter].

Phone numbers for contacts:

            +3592 706289 (Head)

            +3592 9690037 (468,446)