Blood Worm, IgE, Serum
Use
The test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to blood worms, defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms, and identifying allergens responsible for allergic responses and/or anaphylactic episodes. It can confirm sensitization prior to starting immunotherapy and investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens. Testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergens associated with allergic disease, although it's not useful in patients already treated with immunotherapy or where medical management doesn't depend on specific allergen identification.
Special Instructions
For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.
Limitations
Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies, and results need to be interpreted in the clinical context. False positives can occur in patients with highly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding. The level of IgE antibodies indicates the allergic disease likelihood and helps define allergens responsible for symptoms.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (FEIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6047-5
- 6047-5
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested
Minimum Volume
For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL; For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace
Container
Preferred: Serum gel; Acceptable: Red top; Submission Container: Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Causes for Rejection
None, Gross hemolysis and Gross lipemia are both OK.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |