Ragweed, Short
Also known as: Common Ragweed, Short Ragweed
Use
The Ragweed, Short test measures specific IgE antibodies present in a patient's serum, specifically targeting short ragweed pollen allergens. This test is important for patients exhibiting allergic symptoms such as rhinitis, asthma, and eczema during the ragweed season. It helps in diagnosing and managing allergic responses by determining the level of allergen-specific IgE, aiding clinicians in tailoring treatment plans including allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Special Instructions
Patients should be informed that serum samples are required for this test. Proper specimen collection is crucial; a red-top or gel-barrier tube is needed. Specimens must be handled correctly to ensure stability, especially if there are any delays in transportation to the laboratory. It's important to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles beyond three to maintain sample integrity.
Limitations
The test's sensitivity may be affected by the presence of potential cross-reactive components in the serum. High total IgE levels could also lead to non-specific binding, possibly affecting the test's specificity. Additionally, while this test provides information on sensitization, clinical correlation is essential as the presence of specific IgE does not always predict symptomatic allergic reactions. Test results should be interpreted along with the patient’s clinical history and other diagnostic findings.
Methodology
Immunoassay (Thermo Fisher ImmunoCAP®)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6085-5
- 6085-5
Result Turnaround Time
3-5 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.2 mL
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 3 months |