Research Laboratories

We have a multi-disciplinary research laboratory that provides research and clinical laboratory services not only to clients from Kano State but also from neighboring states and the Republic of Niger. The lab units include: hematology, microbiology, immunopathology, histopathology, chemical pathology, and parasitology. The hematology laboratory unit conducts basic and advanced investigations on whole blood, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluids and other blood fluids. We routinely offer basic hematology investigations including complete blood count and differentials, smear morphology and bone marrow staining, coagulation profiles (PT and PTT), and hemoglobin electrophoresis, which is now routine for all patients due to the high prevalence of sickle cell disease and trait in the area. We have equipment and expertise for performing advanced hematology testing that covers flow cytometry for blood cancers and non-neoplastic blood disorders, as well as advanced coagulation investigations. Our microbiology laboratory unit performs culture of biospecimens for the detection of bacteria (aerobic, anaerobic and mycobacteria), fungi and parasites. We also have expertise for molecular diagnosis of these and viral pathogens. Our immunopathology laboratory unit offers high-quality, comprehensive testing to aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of immunologic disorders. The immunopathology laboratory capability includes nephelometry, ELISA assays, indirect immunofluorescence, FEIA and modified complement sheep fixation. Our histopathology laboratory unit performs histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and tissue cytology on gynecologic and non-gynecologic biospecimens, and most of the tests are from referrals. The chemical pathology laboratory unit conducts routine serum chemistries that include kidney and liver function tests, electrolyte and lipid profile panels, cardiac enzymes, endocrine studies, blood gas and oximetry, serological testing for HIV, urine chemistry and toxicology, monoclonal antibody testing, protein electrophoresis and therapeutic drug monitoring. The parasitology laboratory unit offers testing for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases including etiological examination to detect the parasitic pathogen, immunological assay (e.g., fluorescence immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay) and molecular biological examination. We currently have a collaborative research engagement with local and international partners in the area of infectious disease genomics that is anchored on the manufacturing of affordable diagnostic tools for use in sero-surveillance under an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria. We offer technical support and training services to the Kano State CDC (Centre for Disease Control), the Yusuf Maitama Sule University laboratory staff, faculty and students, as well as to other institutions in the area. In addition to research, our laboratory also supports routine clinical care investigations on patients that are either seen at our Centre hospital or referred for testing from a network of about 22 general hospitals and primary care centers located in urban and rural Kano. These services are provided in accordance with internationally recognized research ethics, Good Clinical Practices (GCP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) guidelines.