Sign in →

Test ID: BEEF Beef, IgE, Serum

Reporting Name

Beef, IgE

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to beef

 

Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms

 

Identifying allergens:

-Responsible for allergic response and/or anaphylactic episode

-To confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy

-To investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens

 

Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Specimen Type

Serum


Ordering Guidance


For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


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
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reference Values

Class

IgE kU/L

Interpretation

0

<0.10

Negative

0/1

0.10-0.34

Borderline/equivocal

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.

 

Concentrations of 0.70 kU/L or more (class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US 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 IgE-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE antibodies interact with an 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 younger 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, Hamilton RG: Allergic diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2022:chap 56

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories | Gastroenterology Catalog Additional Information:

mml-allergy