弘前大学 大学院医学研究科 / 医学部医学科

Staffs

• Professor (Additional Post): Hirofumi　Tomita
• Associate professor: Norihiro Saito
• Lecturer: Masamichi Itoga

I. Laboratory Structure and Introduction

　In laboratory medicine, we collaborate with staff from the Testing Laboratory of the University Hospital to develop and evaluate new test markers and methods that may contribute to diagnosis, pathology elucidation, and prognostic prediction of diseases, in addition to selection and evaluation of treatments, with a focus on the following topics.　Our members play a primary role in Infection Control Center in Hirosaki University Hospital. Our department studies a cross-sectional survey of bacterial investigation not only in our hospital, but in Aomori prefecture, coordinating with more than thirty medical institutions.

II. Current Research Topics

1) Establishment of infection control network system over Aomori prefecture

　In these decades, we struggled with nosocomial infections in healthcare facilities. We are preparing infection control network system which provides real-time epidemiological information based on bacteriological tests carried out in multiple healthcare facilities participating to the network. Training programs for healthcare personnel engaged in infection control will be also provided through this network. (Saito N)

2) Investigation on allergic, immunological and chronic inflammatory diseases

　Study on allergic and immunological diseases is one of the main activities in our laboratory. We are focusing on the role of red blood cells in physiopathology of allergic and inflammatory diseases. (Minakawa S)

3) Investigation on a correlation between psychological stress and allergic diseases

　There are many reports that psychological stress may be a predisposing factor, a precipitating factor and an aggravating factor of allergic diseases, but, the mechanism has not been defined. We study the psychological aspects of allergic diseases through evaluation of psychological stress and various biological stress markers for patients with bronchial asthma and chronic cough. (Saito N)

4) Investigation on prognostic factors of sepsis

　Prognostic factors of sepsis have been analyzed using accumulated data in the last decade. (Saito N)

5) Investigation on physiopathology of psoriasis

　Factors influencing the clinical outcome in patients with psoriasis are investigated using laboratory test results and clinical records. (Minakawa S, in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology)

6) Investigation of the physiopathology of chronic lung diseases using lung function tests

　Physiopathology of chronic lung diseases are investigated using recently developed lung function tests and other clinical markers. (Itoga M, in collaboration with the Department of Respiratory Medicine)