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Test ID: BEEF Beef, IgE, Serum

Reporting Name

Beef, IgE

Useful For

Testing for IgE antibodies may be useful to establish the diagnosis of an allergic disease and to define the allergens responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.

 

Testing also may be useful to identify allergens which may be responsible for allergic disease and/or anaphylactic episode, to confirm sensitization to particular allergens prior to beginning immunotherapy, and to investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens.

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Red top

Acceptable: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL for each 5 allergens requested

Additional Information: Designate specific allergens from the list in Allergens – Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies in Special Instructions.


Specimen Minimum Volume

For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL; For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL dead space

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reference Values

Class

IgE kU/L

Interpretation

0

<0.35

Negative

1

0.35-0.69

Equivocal

2

0.70-3.49

Positive

3

3.50-17.4

Positive

4

17.5-49.9

Strongly positive

5

50.0-99.9

Strongly positive

6

≥100

Strongly positive

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved or is exempt by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86003

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BEEF Beef, IgE 6039-2

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
BEEF Beef, IgE 6039-2

Clinical Information

Clinical manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) diseases are caused by the release of proinflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE antibodies interact with allergen.

 

In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergens that may be associated with allergic disease.

 

The allergens chosen for testing often depend upon the age of the patient, history of allergen exposure, season of the year, and clinical manifestations. In individuals predisposed to develop allergic disease, the sequence of sensitization and clinical manifestations proceed as follows: eczema and respiratory disease (rhinitis and bronchospasm) in infants and children less than 5 years due to food sensitivity (milk, egg, soy, and wheat proteins) followed by respiratory disease (rhinitis and asthma) in older children and adults due to sensitivity to inhalant allergens (dust mite, mold, and pollen inhalants).

Interpretation

Detection of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater) indicates an increased likelihood of allergic disease as opposed to other etiologies and defines the allergens that may be responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.

 

The level of IgE antibodies in serum varies directly with the concentration of IgE antibodies expressed as a class score or kU/L.

Clinical Reference

Homburger HA: Chapter 53: Allergic diseases. In Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 21st edition. Edited by RA McPherson, MR Pincus. WB Saunders Company, New York, 2007, Part VI, pp 961-971

Analytic Time

Same day/1 day

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Gastroenterology Catalog Additional Information:

mml-allergy