History

Clinical immunology and allergology

as a scientific discipline began to develop at the beginning of the 20th century, when in 1906, Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet introduced the term “allergy” – derived from the Greek words allos (other) and ergon (reaction). The broader historical roots of the field can be traced back to the 18th century, when Edward Jenner performed the first vaccination against smallpox. The development of this scientific and clinical discipline is closely linked to many other fields (microbiology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, pediatrics, genetics, etc.), highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of immunology.

Thanks to intensive immunological research, the field gradually established itself as an independent discipline with a significant role in modern medicine.

Key Milestones in Clinical Immunology in Martin

1958 – Thanks to MUDr. Jiří Čáp, an allergology consulting room was established in Martin, the second in Slovakia after Bratislava.
1963 – Gained the status of an outpatient clinic and began close cooperation with Prof. MUDr. Július Buranský from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Faculty of Medicine in Martin, including specialized immunological testing and autovaccine production.
1978 – Establishment of an independent outpatient allergology department led by Chief Physician MUDr. Jiří Čáp.
1986 – Renamed to the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology.
1992 – Establishment of a separate laboratory division.

A New Era of Clinical Immunology and Allergology

A major turning point came with the arrival of Prof. MUDr. Mgr. Miloš Jeseňák, PhD., MBA, who, as a young physician under the mentorship of Prof. MUDr. Peter Bánovčin, CSc. at the Department of Pediatrics of JLF UK and UNM, found his professional focus in clinical immunology and allergology. He assumed the position of Head of the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology at UHM in August 2017. Under his leadership, the department evolved into a nationally and internationally recognized center, now encompassing:

Registration site for the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
National Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies, designated in 2017 as an Expert Center for Rare Diseases by the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic
Member of the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Network – a global network for the diagnosis and treatment of immune disorders
Specialized Center for Periodic Fevers (Expert Center since 2017) – awarded as a Top Innovation in Healthcare 2018
Center for Hereditary Angioedema (Expert Center since 2017)

The Center for Primary Immunodeficiencies at the University Hospital Martin is now the largest of its kind in Slovakia, providing comprehensive care for both children and adults.

We actively participate in international collaborations, contributing to the professional growth of our team and ensuring access to the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. An integral part of the department is a comprehensive laboratory division and outpatient services for all age groups.

Department Heads:

MUDr. Jiří Čáp (1980–1991)
MUDr. Mojmír Vrlík, CSc. (1991–1997)
MUDr. Jiří Čáp (1997–1998)
MUDr. Jana Straková, PhD. (1998–2006)
MUDr. Jana Straková, PhD. (2006–2017)
Prof. MUDr. Mgr. Miloš Jeseňák, PhD., MBA, Dott.Ric., MHA, FAAAAI (2017–2025; from 2025 as Chief Physician)
MUDr. Anna Bobčáková, PhD. (2025–present)

Medical Genetics

Medical genetics is a branch of medicine focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hereditary diseases and congenital developmental disorders. In Slovakia, the field has a history dating back to the 1960s, when the first centers dedicated to human genetics were established. A leading figure in medical genetics in Martin was Prof. MUDr. Štefan Sršeň, CSc., co-author of the first Slovak textbook on human genetics.

Key Milestones in the Work of Prof. MUDr. Štefan Sršeň, CSc.

1969 – Establishment of a research laboratory for clinical genetics
1976 – Gained the status of a non-hospital department of medical genetics, becoming one of the first regional centers for genetic care in Slovakia outside the capital
1981 – Hosted an international symposium on alkaptonuria in Martin (the department’s primary scientific focus)
1984 – Became a center for prenatal genetic diagnostics
1986 – Co-organized the 2nd National Conference on Medical Genetics in Martin, demonstrating his active role in the professional community and efforts to strengthen genetics as a clinical discipline
1990s – Focused on the development of prenatal diagnostics and genetic counseling, significantly contributing to the implementation of these services in routine healthcare. Introduced cytogenetic testing methods and later molecular genetics. He was also a long-time educator at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, teaching medical genetics and supervising diploma and doctoral theses. Throughout his career, he published numerous scientific papers, mainly on congenital developmental disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, and diagnostic protocols in genetic practice.

Department Heads:

Prof. MUDr. Štefan Sršeň, DrSc. (1969–1982)
Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Klára Sršňová, CSc. (1982–1990)
Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Nadežda Mišovicová, CSc. (1990–2006)
MUDr. Mgr. Jana Kršiaková (2006–2025)

Establishment of the Institute of Clinical Immunology and Medical Genetics

In 2024, the Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology at UNM merged with the Department of Medical Genetics to form a joint workplace. As of November 1, 2024, the Institute of Clinical Immunology and Medical Genetics was established as a joint institution of the University Hospital Martin and the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Martin.

The goal is close collaboration in diagnostics, management, and research in the field of primary immunodeficiencies, participation in undergraduate education in general medicine, and enhancement of postgraduate training opportunities.

The shared vision is to implement new methodological approaches at the European level.