Cheese, Mold, IgE, Serum
Use
The test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to cheese mold and defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms. It helps identify allergens responsible for allergic responses and/or anaphylactic episodes. The test is also used to confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy and to investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens. However, testing for IgE antibodies is not useful for patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine residual clinical sensitivity or for those whose medical management does not depend on identifying allergen specificity.
Special Instructions
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial as per collection instructions. Ensure proper specimen submission to prevent rejection due to improper handling such as hemolysis or lipemia, which are acceptable in gross amounts.
Limitations
Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity may still have measurable IgE levels; test results should be interpreted in a clinical context. False positives can occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE due to nonspecific binding. Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful after immunotherapy for detecting residual sensitivity, nor when allergen specificity does not impact medical management.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (FEIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6068-1
- 6068-1
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
0.3 mL or 0.05 mL x allergens + 0.25 mL dead space
Container
Serum gel; Red top acceptable
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate preferred; Frozen acceptable
Causes for Rejection
None if gross hemolysis or lipemia is present in excess.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |