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TEST ID FOOD1 Food-Nut Panel # 2, Serum

Important Note

This test uses a pooled allergen reagent; therefore, the multi-allergen Immunocap (panel cap) is reported with a single qualitative class result and concentration.

Reporting Name

Food-Nut Panel # 2

Specimen Type

Serum


Ordering Guidance


This test uses a pooled allergen reagent; therefore, the multi-allergen Immunocap (panel cap) is reported with a single qualitative class result and concentration. This is the appropriate first-tier test for allergic disease.

 

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

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Testing Algorithm

Includes testing for cashew, pecan, pistachio, and walnut allergen.

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK

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.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

Stored serum 14 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

86003

Forms

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

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to cashew, pecan, pistachio, and walnut

 

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.

Highlights

This multi-allergen IgE antibody panel, combined with measurement of IgE in serum, is an appropriate first-order test for allergic disease.

 

It requires less specimen volume and less cost for ruling out allergic response; however, individual (single) allergen responses cannot be identified. In cases of a positive test, follow-up testing must be performed to differentiate between individual allergens in the panel.

 

Note: Only one result is generated for each panel.