Allergen, Insects and Venom, Fire Ant, Imported
Also known as: FIRE ANT
Use
This test measures IgE levels specific to imported fire ant venom using a purified venom extract from Solenopsis invicta. Elevated IgE levels indicate a risk for systemic anaphylactic reactions due to fire ant venom exposure. The test is useful for diagnosing allergies in patients with a clinical history suggestive of sensitivity to fire ant venom. The correlation of laboratory results with clinical history and in vivo reactivity is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Special Instructions
Patients should avoid multiple patient encounters to prevent variability in IgE levels. Proper specimen collection and handling instructions must be followed to avoid hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens, which are unacceptable.
Limitations
Results in the range of 0.10-0.34 kU/L have undetermined clinical relevance and should be interpreted by specialists. Increasing IgE concentrations correlate with higher potential for a clinical reaction, but they may not predict the severity of allergic responses or skin testing outcomes. A negative result does not rule out clinical allergy or anaphylaxis.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Fluorescent Enzyme Immunoassay)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6117-6
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Collect in a serum separator tube and separate serum from cells as soon as possible or within 2 hours of collection.
Patient Preparation
Multiple patient encounters should be avoided.
Storage Instructions
Keep refrigerated during transport.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolyzed, icteric, or lipemic specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 48 hours |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year |