Honeybee Venom, IgE, Serum
Use
The test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to honeybee venom. It helps define the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms. Additionally, it identifies allergens responsible for an allergic response and/or anaphylactic episode, and is used to confirm sensitization before beginning immunotherapy. It is also useful in investigating the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens.
Special Instructions
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.
Limitations
Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists or in patients where identification of allergen specificity does not affect medical management. Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum. False-positive results for IgE antibodies can occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.
New York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA))
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6844-5
- 6844-5
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/Tube: Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis: OK; Gross lipemia: OK
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
| Frozen | 90 days |