Allergen specific IgE is one of the antibodies whose determination helps to diagnose allergies. This test is performed in a laboratory after the patient has obtained a blood sample. The results of the study are not clear, but they are an important indication for a specialist doctor. What is the determination of specific IgE?

Contents:

  1. Allergen Specific IgE - Important Screening Test
  2. Allergen-specific IgE - what are they?
  3. When is it recommended to test allergen-specific IgE?
  4. IgE allergen-specific - what does the IgE test look like?
  5. Allergen-specific IgE - as evidenced by the IgE test result?

Determination of specific IgE(concentration of immunoglobulins) against specific allergens is an important element in the diagnosis of allergic diseases.

These diseases are common in the modern world, which is associated with the development of civilization. Proper treatment of allergies requires an appropriate diagnosis. It is based on a medical interview and skin tests.

In some cases, however, these procedures turn out to be insufficient. In such situations, one of the further steps on the way to the correct diagnosis of the disease are tests based on the determination of allergen-specific IgE.

Allergen Specific IgE - Important Screening Test

The determination of specific IgE antibodies is performed as one of the screening tests to identify allergic reactions related to specific allergens. The test examines the immune response to certain substances, for example :

      • bee venom,
      • bumblebee venom,
      • egg white,
      • chicken egg yolk.

The allergens used in the test are divided into panels. In one group there are substances of a similar type, for example related to food, molds or grasses.

The specialist doctor and the patient choose the most appropriate test kit, corresponding to the previously collected interview.

Worth knowing

Indications for allergy testsSymptoms that constitute an indication for diagnostic tests for allergies are:

  • dermatitis,
  • rash,
  • red and itchy eyes,
  • cough,
  • hyperemianasal mucosa,
  • sneezing,
  • itching and tingling of the oral mucosa,
  • stomach ache or vomiting and diarrhea
  • hives.

Allergen-specific IgE - what are they?

IgE antibodies are produced by B lymphocytes, which are one of the cells that protect our body against infection. This process is part of a he althy immune response.

Occasionally, however, immune cells interpret neutral substances as a potential threat. Then they trigger the reaction of the whole organism, which is to fight the infection.

Symptoms such as sneezing and tearing of the conjunctiva develop. Specific IgE antibodies are responsible for initiating an avalanche of allergic reactions. They are associated with a specific allergen that has entered the body.

This is how they recognize it, telling their immune cells about its presence.

When is it recommended to test allergen-specific IgE?

A referral from a doctor for an allergen-specific IgE test is obtained when the skin test result does not match the clinical picture, i.e. the patient's symptoms.

The determination of specific IgE antibodies is also recommended in some cases as an alternative to skin testing. This applies to patients with severe skin lesions, such as eczema and inflammation.

Another indication to abandon skin testing is the risk of a severe allergic reaction to the person. Contact with an allergen required by this type of test may in such a case lead to life-threatening situations, e.g. anaphylactic shock.

Antihistamines and antidepressants can interfere with skin test results. Before their performance, it is recommended to stop pharmacotherapy, but in some patients it is dangerous.

Therefore, in such situations, it is recommended to replace skin tests with allergen-specific IgE.

The determination of IgE-specific antibodies can also be used to monitor the course of therapy effectiveness. For children, these types of tests are performed to see if the allergy has cleared with age.

It should be noted, however, that a positive result may persist for many years after recovery. The test is only a guide for the diagnosing specialist doctor.

IgE allergen-specific - what does the IgE test look like?

The test for determination of specific IgE antibodies is performed in the laboratory, after the patient's blood sample is taken. The examination does not require prior preparation, e.g. being onfasting. Blood is drawn from a vein in the arm.

Serum isolated from blood is used for diagnostic evaluation. There are different laboratory methods for determining specific IgE in a collected sample.

The oldest is the radioallergosorption test, or RAST. It happens that doctors use this name to mean all the techniques for labeling allergen-specific IgE. This is due to the long history of using this method as a standard.

Currently, enzyme immunoassays are most often performed in laboratories. They allow the determination of specific IgE concentrations for specific antigens.

Allergen-specific IgE - as evidenced by the IgE test result?

Increased levels of allergen-specific IgE indicate an allergic disease. However, a positive result of the IgE antibody test is not an unequivocal confirmation. Correct diagnosis requires a thorough analysis of the collected data by a specialist doctor. Often times, other allergy tests are required.

A negative IgE antibody test result suggests no classical allergy in the patient. Please treat this information with caution. It is advisable to consult a specialist physician to clarify the cause of the symptoms.

Read also: Immunoglobulins Type E (IgE)

About the authorSara Janowska, MA in pharmacyPhD student of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the Medical University of Lublin and the Institute of Biotechnology in Białystok. A graduate of pharmaceutical studies at the Medical University of Lublin with a specialization in Plant Medicine. She obtained a master's degree defending a thesis in the field of pharmaceutical botany on the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from twenty species of mosses. Currently, in his research work, he deals with the synthesis of new anti-cancer substances and the study of their properties on cancer cell lines. For two years she worked as a master of pharmacy in an open pharmacy.

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Category:

Allergies